The Billerica Public Library is a public library in Billerica, Massachusetts. Since 2000, it has been located at 15 Concord Road.
History
In the late 19th century, "Billerica's free library, known as the Bennett Public Library, was founded by Mrs. Joshua Bennett, who erected, at a cost of $9,000, a suitable building for the purpose, and deeded it to the Bennett Library Association in 1880. ... The town contributes nothing for the support of the library."Henry Stedman Nourse, ed. Free public libraries of Massachusetts. 9th Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1899. Google books The architects of the Bennett building were Boston architects Rotch & Tilden.
Initially, subscribers were charged an annual fee for use of the library.Henry Allen Hazen. History of Billerica, Massachusetts: with a Genealogical register. A. Williams and Co., 1883. Google books By 1899, "the membership fee to the associates, to whom a few special privileges are allowed, is one dollar, but all citizens are given the free use of the library."Nourse. 1899
In 1980, library services were moved from the Bennett building to a different building in Billerica's town center, 25 Concord Road. The Bennett Library building now operates as Billerica's only historic rental facility.
In May 2000, the building that currently houses the Billerica Public Library was constructed at the site of the former Town Hall at 15 Concord Road: "Renovating and utilizing the Old Town Hall together with construction of a large addition to the rear has preserved this historic landmark as well as secured the future of the library service in the community." 25 Concord Road now houses the Billerica Council on Aging.History
In fiscal year 2008, the town of Billerica spent 1.09% of its budget on the library—some $29 per person. The library's total budget was $1,209,203.July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What’s Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: Municipal Pie Reports
References
Further reading Catalogue, constitution, rules and regulations of the Bennett Public Library Association of Billerica. C. F. Jones & Co. Printers, 1882. Google books Paula D. Watson. Carnegie Ladies, Lady Carnegies: Women and the Building of Libraries. Libraries & Culture, Vol. 31, No. 1, Reading & Libraries (Winter, 1996)
External links Official website Bennett Library on Flickr. Flickr. Photo of Stephen King at the library, 1983 Flickr. Photo of library building, 1979-2000 Flickr. Billerica Public Library's photostream
Image gallery