- About us
- Background
- Collections
- Membership
- Contact
The Westborough Public Library maintains collections of family genealogies, town reports, maps, photographs, and other materials of local historical and genealogical interest. It also houses a collection of historic town documents, some dating back to the early 1700’s.
Hours:Monday-Thursday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday - mid-October to mid-May: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm The Local History Librarian is generally available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and by appointment.
Directions
The Westborough Public Library is located two blocks west of the rotary on Route 30 (West Main Street), between Parkman and Church Streets.
Officers and staff
Maureen Ambrosino, Library Director;
Anthony Vaver, Local History Librarian
Mission: The Westborough Public Library is dedicated to the promotion of lifelong learning, personal and professional enrichment, and a love of reading. The Board of Trustees and the library staff strive to ensure free, equal, and confidential access to all collections and informational services, to maintain the library building, and to anticipate and prepare for future library service needs in the Westborough community.
Founded: 1857
History of the Westborough Public Library: The Westborough Public Library began in 1777 as a lending library that was located in the town’s first store. By 1807, a few leading men in town felt there was a need for a larger library and formed the Union Library Society. It was a private society that required high membership fees and carried strict rules. In 1857, after many years of fundraising, ownership of the library was transferred to the town and it has since been supported by annual town appropriation. The library stayed in the old Parkman Store until 1868, when it was moved to the Town Hall. When it outgrew its space in Town Hall, land was purchased at the corner of Parkman and West Main Streets in 1908 and the current building was constructed and opened. It was designed in a neoclassical style that was common for civic architecture in the early 20th century. The library was built with funds donated over the previous century by residents, and furnished by “subscriptions” purchased by individuals and groups.
A two story addition opened in 1981 to provide additional square footage for the collection and for accessibility for disabled patrons. The expansion doubled the library’s original size to its current 20,076 gross square feet.
Collection overview: The Westborough Public Library's Local History Program collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to sources that document the history of Westborough and its inhabitants, government, environment, businesses, institutions, and organizations. The aim of this collection is to provide resources for town residents and researchers to explore the personal, historical, and cultural heritage of Westborough and its environs in meaningful and creative ways.
The emphasis of the Local History and Genealogy Collection is on documenting Westborough’s government, settlement, industry, commerce, education, recreation, and historically significant individuals, as well as the history of its civic, religious, cultural, and social organizations. Genealogical materials that help researchers trace their family backgrounds and/or aid in researching the history of individual town residents are also collected.
The collection supports activities related to historical and genealogical research, exhibits, community outreach, organizational events, and publications, among others. The collection mainly serves the general public, but also supports the research activities of scholars and professionals, graduate students, undergraduates, and high school students.
The Local History and Genealogy Collection Development Policy Statement can be found at http://www.westboroughlib.org/Pages/WestboroughLIB_WebDocs/policies/localhistory
Policies: The Westborough Room Collection is a non-circulating collection. Historical use policies can be found at http://www.westboroughlib.org/Pages/WestboroughLIB_WebDocs/policies/policiesindex
Permissions: The Reproduction Policy can be found at http://www.westboroughlib.org/Pages/WestboroughLIB_WebDocs/policies/historicalreproduction
Westborough Public Library
55 West Main St.
Westborough, Mass. 01581
55 West Main St.
Contact us via the web
Phone: 508-366-305
Fax: 508-366-3049
Fax: 508-366-3049
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