Library History

The forerunner of the Winchester Public Library was the South Woburn Library Association founded in 1848. After the incorporation of the Town of Winchester in 1850, the name of the association was changed to the Winchester Library Association.

The Winchester Public Library was founded in 1858, and the present building was constructed in 1931, at a cost of $137,000. Designed by architects Kilham, Hopkins & Greeley, the Library's English Norman exterior is of rough-faced Massachusetts granite with joints of dark mortar and trim of cut limestone. The building's innovative design, combining both an art gallery and library, was featured in the June, 1932, issue of The Architectural Forum.

An addition to the building, designed by Kilham, Hopkins, Greeley and Brodie, was completed in 1966. It provided for a larger reading and reference room, an enlarged children's room, a workroom, and increased storage capacity.

The Newly Renovated Library -- November 24, 1996

On February 6, 1995, the Library Board of Trustees asked the Winchester Town Meeting to support a $4.3 million bond for the complete restoration of the Library. The final request was lowered to $4.1 million due to a $200,000 state grant. Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly in favor of the restoration project.

Though bond money covered the reconstruction of the building, the Library still needed funds for new furniture, updated technology, restoration of the historic murals and Tiffany stained glass, reconfiguration of the parking lot, landscaping and more. To avoid further burdening the Winchester taxpayers, the Board of Trustees, in cooperation with the Friends of the Library, launched the "Build for the Future! " campaign to raise an additional $500,000 in private donations.

In August, 1994, the Library moved to temporary quarters at 263 Main Street. Demolition and reconstruction began in March, 1995, and was completed in November, 1996. From the beginning, the renovation project was tightly monitored, with high standards of quality and cost-control. Construction costs were kept within budget.

The "Build for the Future!" campaign surpassed its goal, bringing in over $620,000. Over 1,100 individuals and families--one in seven Winchester households--contributed sums ranging from $5 to $100,000. Local businesses, town organizations, and hundreds of dedicated people provided an extraordinary outpouring of support. The campaign was exceptionally cost-efficient, with only 5% of receipts used to cover expenses. The value in dollars of the goods, time, and professional services donated to this project cannot even be estimated.

Public Monies Thanks to the taxpayers, the $4.1 million bond paid for:

• Reparation of the slate roof.
• Simplification from 10 odd, disjointed floors to 5 well-laid out ones.
• Redesign of interior to increase floor space 20%, for a total of 28,000 square feet.
• Shelving to accommodate 140,000 volumes, an increase of 40%.
• Improved structural support.
• Wiring for the information superhighway
• A quiet, separate homework center for students.
• A meeting room to be used by community groups.
• New granite exterior of the 1966 addition to blend with the original building.
• New energy-efficient heating and cooling system.
• New up-to-code electrical wiring system.
• Wheelchair-accessible elevator.
• Wheelchair-accessible public restrooms.
• Braille signs.
• Wheelchair-accessible North Entrance with ramp into building.
• Storybook room in Children's Library.
• 300 square foot extension of the Children's Room.
• Updated insulated windows that will increase energy savings by 30%.

Private Donations

Thanks to donors to the "Build for the Future!" Campaign, the $620,000 paid for:

• New furniture: chairs, tables, reference desks
• Study carrels wired for personal computers.
• State of the art computer/work stations with Internet hookups.
• Bookstacks.
• Expanded music, books-on-tape and business reference collection.
• Reparation of the Ripley and Caser Murals.
• Restoration of Tiffany windows and lobby skylight.
• New overhead lighting and table lighting.
• New outdoor reading area.
• Landscaping.
• Trees, benches, and bike rack.
• New welcome circle at Washington Street entrance.
• Major Donors and Dedication Plaques.
• Board of Trustees and Friends of the Library Plaques.
• Restoration of the mosaic tiles at Washington Street entrance.
• Reparation of underground sprinkler system.
• Drive-by book drop.

Improvements Following the Renovation

Immediately after the renovation was complete landscaping began in earnest. Julie Khuen completed a landscape design which began in 1997 and included benches, railings, steps, retaining walls, lighting and pergolas. Phase II the following year included the installation of the lawn, plants, benches, walkway, and irrigation system.

The first ten years of the newly renovated building brought 3 million visitors.  Carpet and paint projects began to address wear and tear. In 2008 a new space plan gave more space to new books, CDs, and DVDs, which made browsing new titles easier than ever.  Moving new books into an open stack area off the main lobby made an additional meeting room available for public use.  The enormous impact of personal computers on the way in which people use the library led to a new layout in the Reference Area, with a smaller reference desk for the librarians and more space for Internet computers for the public. These projects were funded both through the Town and by private donations.

For further reading:

Art In The Library. Winchester, Mass.: Winchester Public Library, 1959
Chapman, Henry Smith, and Bruce Winchester Stone. History of Winchester, Massachusetts. Winchester, Mass.: The Town of Winchester, 1975.
Jones, Rupert F. A Short History Of The Winchester Public Library. Winchester, Mass.: Winchester Public Library, 1959
Knight, Ellen. Winchester Public Library: an illustrated history. 2006.