Newton Free Library

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.

History

Before 1870, several citizen groups 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.

Designed by architect Alexander Rice Esty, 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 about 530,000 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 built neighborhood branches in Newton Centre, Waban, Oak Hill, 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 (8,500 m²) Theodore D.Mann Building opened to the public on September 15, 1991, at a cost of just over $15 million. It was believed that Branches were no longer necessary and were in fact usurping the main of patrons and resources so all but 4 of the branches were closed. The remaining Branches were continued with reduced hours and staffing in four outlying locations: Auburndale, Waban, Newton Corner, Nonantum. The latter two were closed July 1, 2008 due to budget cuts while Auburndale and Waban continue as community run Library Centers.

Today

Since its move to the new building, the Newton Free Library’s circulation has steadily increased to almost 2 million items per year. A wide variety of educational and cultural programs, specialized Children's 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 ten libraries in the country within its population range category by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.

Governance

The library is a department of the city of Newton and has a board of trustees appointed by the mayor who serve a staggered five-year term.

Quick facts

Main Library in Newton

Statue of a young girl outside of the Newton Free Library

Architectural Features
Style and Material: Neo-Georgian architecture made of brick and stone
Layout: Three floors, all above ground
Square Footage: 91,405 square feet (8,491.8 m²)
Lot size: 4.588 acres (18,570 m²)
Height of Atrium: 50' to bottom of skylight
Cost: $15,300,000
Dedicated September 15, 1991

Circulation

• 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'.

References

• Tashjian, Virginia. The Newton Free Library: A pictorial history 1870-1991. 1st ed.-. Newton, MA: Draper Printing, 1992.
• Hennen Jr., Thomas J. "Hennen's American Public Library Ratings 2006." American Libraries 37, no. 10 (November 2006): 40-3. available at http://www.haplr-index.com/

External links

• Newton Free Library

Coordinates: 42°20′19.51″N 71°12′27.15″W / 42.3387528°N 71.2075417°W