Shrewsbury Public Library

Stained glass
and
stair cases
The very first library in Shrewsbury had it’s beginnings back in the late 18^th century. A few books were donated, circulated and moved around and the idea grew. Of course it wasn’t a public library back then, people had to pay to be a member. The idea of a free public library was pretty radical and didn’t start until later.
The books ended up in different buildings until 1903 when this building was constructed to house the books. Additions were completed in 1922 and 1978, giving the library the strange juxtaposition of temporal contrasts that is common in old libraries that have changed over the years.
You can be in a modern 20^th century room filled with computers and then and take two steps and end up in a 19^th century room filled with archaic furniture and art. Actually pretty cool.
The old part of the library has lovely wooden staircases, lots of art and even some stain glass windows. Many libraries remove most of the old stain glass windows because although they are lovely the windows also makes the library very dark inside. Always nice when at least some of the original stain glass is still in place.
The library is rather small inside and the town plans on building a newer and much larger library in the near future. The growing town does need a larger library but buildings like this are priceless. Hopeful the venerable old building will be preserved and used for something useful.

This library is relatively small, but packs a lot of punch. Great service, and have most every book or CD you’d be
interested in. They have special programs for kids, and tutors are here tutoring kids in math, or for the ACT.
The Wifi is great. I can send emails here. I usually can received emails at a library, but cannot send.