Newton Free Library
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Newton Free Library, the public library of Newton, Massachusetts, provides an extensive collection of print, non-print, and electronic resources, a comprehensive reference service, and a wide array of educational and cultural programs for people of all ages.
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[edit] History
Before 1870, several citizen groups had organized library societies to serve their neighborhoods, among them the Social Library Society of West Newton, the Adelphian Library and the Newton Centre Library Association.
In 1866, one of these groups, the Newton Library Association, purchased land to establish a public library for the residents of Newton. Along with donations from private citizens, construction of the building began in August 1868.
The Newton Free Library was dedicated on Friday June 17, 1870 and opened to the public July 1 of the same year. It opened with about 7,000 volumes, composed of previous library associations' collections, new purchases, as well as private donations. By 1875, the collection had grown to 11,003 volumes. Today, the collection has grown to over 585,000 items.
As the library’s collection and membership grew, the physical space needed to be expanded. Several expansions were added to the original building on Centre Street, first in 1886, then again in 1952.
Demand for library services was so great that the Newton Free Library acquired neighborhood branches in Newton Centre, Waban, West Newton, Auburndale, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands and Newton Lower Falls.
In the mid 1980s it was determined that a new building was needed to maintain the growing collection of library materials- both traditional and non-traditional, and to keep up with the community’s demand for quality library services. Groundbreaking for the new building took place on July 27, 1989. The 91,000 square foot Theodore D.Mann Building opened to the public on September 15, 1991 at a cost of just over $15 million. At this time the Newton Free Library switched from a branch-based library sytem to a centralized system focused around the Main Library. Branches were continued in four outlying locations: Auburndale, Newton Corner, Nonantum and Waban.
Since its move to the new building, the Newton Free Library’s circulation has steadily increased to approximately 2 million items per year. A wide variety of educational and cultural programs, specialized Childrens' programming, high-speed wireless access and an ever increasing audio-visual collection continue to attract people of all ages to the library. The Newton Free Library has been recognized as one of the top five libraries in the country within its population range category by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.
[edit] Branches
The Newton Free Library maintains four branches throughout the city that provide popular reading materials, programs, and up-to-date technology for neighborhood patrons.
[edit] Auburndale
The Auburndale branch is located at 375 Auburn Street. The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 1:00 - 6:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am - Noon. The friends of the Newton Free Library maintain space in the basement of the Auburndale branch where they accept book donations. In addition, the Friends hold four book sales during the year.
[edit] Corner
Previously the Children's Library,the Newton Corner branch is located at 126 Vernon Street. The library is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 1:00 - 6:00pm. Activities at the branch include children story time and adults book club meetings.
[edit] Nonantum
The Nonantum branch is located at 144 Bridge Street. The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 1:00 - 6:00pm. The branch hosts neighborhood clubs such as the Newton Camera Club and the Italian Culture Club, among others.
[edit] Waban
The Waban branch is located at 1608 Beacon Street. The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 1:00 - 6:00pm. The Newton Food Pantry is located in the basement of the branch.
[edit] Quick Facts
Architectural Features
- Current Building
Main Library in Newton
Style and Material: Neo-Georgian architecture made of brick and stone
Layout: Three floors, all above ground.
Square Footage: 91,405 square feet
Lot size: 4.588 acres
Height of Atrium: 50' to bottom of skylight
Cost: $15,300,000
Dedicated September 15, 1991
- Original Building
Style and Material: Victorian Gothic architecture made of granite stone
Square Footage: 31,000
Lot Size: 20,500 square feet
Cost: $36,695.50
Dedicated June 17, 1870
Multiple additions were made to original building, including an addition in rear, several book stack additions and an addition to the front of the building.
Other Quick Facts
- The Newton Free Library loans out more items than any other library building in Massachusetts.
- In 1870, a total of 1360 people had "registered their names" with the Newton Free Library.
- The first telephone for the library was installed in 1904.
- From 1905 to 1916 book deliveries between branches were carried out in a horse and buggy.
- In 1870, the largest number of items loaned in a single day was 250.
- From the annual report for the year 1887: The term 'Public Library' fails to give full expression to the character of the Public Library and the many institutions of the same description which have been lately established in our cities and towns. The distinguishing term is the 'Free Library'.
