Past, Present, & Future

The first library in West Springfield began in 1775 when the Reverend Joseph Lathrop organized forty subscribers who contributed funds to purchase a book collection. Tradition says the collection was kept in a two-bushel basket that was carried about the small community. The basket would be left with the most responsible families. This was probably in all of this section of West Springfield proper. By 1807, community interest in the "library" diminished and the collection was divided among the remaining subscribers.

Three years later in 1810, a second group of subscribers revived the library, housing the collection in a  cupboard in the Town House (Hall). The library remained at this location until 1840, when it too, was broken up and sold to the remaining subscribers.

In 1854, a more lasting library was founded by subscribing members who paid $500 each. It was once again located in the Town House. The space that was allocated consisted of two cupboards. In 1872 when a new Town "Hall" was built on Park Street, the library moved into more spacious quarters. In 1885, the town voted to create a free library with the town clerk also doing the duties of the librarian. In 1892, a full-time librarian was appointed. The collection increased to over 10,000 volumes during this period.

By 1913, it became apparent that the Town Hall library facility had reached its capacity. The trustees, in their 1914 report announced "...that through the generosity of Mr. Andre Carnegie, the town can have a building fully equipped and wholly suited to its needs...". On October 25, 1916, with great fanfare, the new West Springfield Public Library was opened on the west corner of Park and Elm Streets. The library contained 2,650 square feet and housed 11,000 items.

1958 Addition

The first addition was built in 1958 and dedicated in June 1959. This enlarged the library by 8,450 gross square feet. A workroom, adult reading room and a balcony to house non-fiction were constructed. The original Carnegie wing housed a separate children's collection.

1978 Addition

A very complex second addition was begun in June 1977. A new wing was constructed for the Youth Department, freeing the Carnegie wing to hold the complete non-fiction collection. A new workroom was constructed and the old one became a quiet study area. A staff break room, cataloging room and an adult fiction room were also added.

2000 and Beyond

The West Springfield Public Library currently has 119,000 items. There are 20 computer workstations available to patrons and wireless Internet access for those patrons who have their own laptops.  The library was awarded a MBLC Planning and Design Grant in 2007, which will be used to determine the course of a future construction project.