Newton Free Library
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.
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 91000 square feet (8,454.2 m²) 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 system to a centralized system focused around the Main Library. Branches were continued in four outlying locations: Auburndale, Newton Corner, Nonantum and Waban but closed July 1, 2008 due to budget cuts.
Architectural Features
Style and Material: Neo-Georgian architecture made of brick and stone
Layout: Three floors, all above ground
Square Footage: 91405 square feet (8,491.8 m²)
Lot size: 4.588 acres (18,567 m²)
Height of Atrium: 50' to bottom of skylight
Cost: $15,300,000
Dedicated September 15, 1991
Circulation
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, 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
Alexander Rice Esty
Alexander Rice Esty was an American architect who is largely known today for designing many Gothic Revival churches in New England, however his work also encompassed university buildings, municipal and Federal buildings, office buildings, and private residences across the Northeastern United...
, 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
Plummer Memorial Library
The Plummer Memorial Library is a historic library at 375 Auburn Street in Newton, Massachusetts. Once operated as a branch of the Newton Free Library, the city's public library system, it was closed in 2009 due to financial cuts...
, 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 91000 square feet (8,454.2 m²) 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 system to a centralized system focused around the Main Library. Branches were continued in four outlying locations: Auburndale, Newton Corner, Nonantum and Waban but closed July 1, 2008 due to budget cuts.
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
Style and Material: Neo-Georgian architecture made of brick and stone
Layout: Three floors, all above ground
Square Footage: 91405 square feet (8,491.8 m²)
Lot size: 4.588 acres (18,567 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'.