Worcester Public Library history

Worcester Public Library opened its doors to the public on April 30, 1860 on the third floor of the Bank Block at Foster and Main Streets.

When the first Worcester Public Library was opened on Elm Street in 1862 all of the collections were moved into the new building, which cost over $30,000 to build.

According to the Annual Report of the Directors, January 1863, the Free Public Library contained over 10,000 volumes in the Green Library/Permanent Collection, and 6,077 books in the circulation collection.

Zephiniah Baker served as Head Librarian until 1867.

(photo: NPR.org) 1875 Andrew Carnegie opened his first steel plant, Edgar Thompson Works.

Andrew Carnegie at FPBL, March 26, 1913

Greendale (now Frances Perkins), Quinsigamond, and South Worcester branches were built in 1914 with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie and on land provided by Worcester industrialists.

Billings Square Branch, located on Hamilton Street at the intersection of Grafton and Hamilton Streets, was opened in 1928.

Billings Square Branch, 1930

The Worcester Public Library's first Bookmobile was launched on Monday, November 18, 1940 to further expand access to library services into every corner of the City

Children's room at Billings Square Branch, 5 May 1942

The Main South Branch, at various locations on Main Street, was first opened in 1945.

Overcrowding was in issue at WPL from the beginning and, in 1953, the Board of Directors asked for space for a new main library building in the Salem Square Redevelopment Project.

Land was purchased for that purpose in 1959, the year WPL celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The Library moved into its new location at 3 Salem Square in 1964.

The Great Brook Valley Branch, located in the Great Brook Valley housing complex on Tacoma Street, was opened in 1981.

However, Great Brook Valley reopened within a few months, and Greendale (Frances Perkins) resumed operations in 1992.

The former Greendale Branch was renamed in 1994 to honor Frances Perkins, who grew up in Worcester and was the first woman cabinet member, serving as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor.

After a two-year stay at a temporary location at 160 Fremont Street, WPL moved into a beautiful new building on October 22, 2001.