Burlington Public Library

Specialties

Books and Information for FREE!

History

Established in 1868.

Library services in Burlington were begun in 1868 when a subscription library was formed by Senator James Wilson Grimes (who contributed $ 5,000) and a number of other shareholders (who paid $ 10 per share). Those who were unable to join as shareholders were encouraged to purchase borrowing privileges for $ 4 annually.

The library was housed in a series of rented rooms beginning in the second floor of a building located at Main and Valley. In 1885 the city assumed full responsibility for providing library service for its residents, and the library was moved to two rooms at City Hall.

The first Burlington Public Library building was constructed between 1896 and 1898 with a combination of tax dollars and private funds. The construction was supervised by William Sutherland, a local architect, and Philip M. Crapo.

In Oct. 2004, the Library Board of Directors broke ground for the current current library building at 210 Court Street. That building opened on Nov. 13, 2006.