History | WL Public Library

HISTORY OF THE WINDOR LOCKS PUBLIC LIBRARY, INC.

For more than a century, the Windsor Locks Public Library has been a cornerstone of the community, providing free access to information, education, and lifelong learning. What began as a small collection of books has grown into the vibrant public library that serves Windsor Locks today.

A Community Dream

The vision for a free public library in Windsor Locks began in the late 1800s as the "free library movement" spread across the country. In 1891, local industrialist Charles E. Chaffee donated a collection of books and reading materials to the Grand Army of the Republic Post, a Civil War veterans' organization. The collection was housed in Soldiers Memorial Hall and became a valued resource for the community.

Recognizing the growing interest in public access to books, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) opened the collection to the public in 1905. The Memorial Hall Association was formed to oversee the library, laying the foundation for what would become the Windsor Locks Public Library, Inc.

Library is Founded

By June 1907, interest in and use of the library had grown, and the Library Committee of Memorial Hall Association, employing State Aid and an initial support of $500 from the Town of Windsor Locks, opened Reading Rooms in the Converse Block- above the first floor Post Office; this, at the northern intersection of Main and Spring streets. This began a time-honored partnership between the Town of Windsor Locks and the Library. By this time, there were 1,250 volumes available for lending. On its first day, 71 volumes were taken out by borrowers, clear evidence the community had been waiting for a library. In 1928, the library committee formally organized as Windsor Locks Public Library, Inc.

A Gift that Shaped the Library’s Future

In 1940, Thomasine Haskell Conant gifted to the Windsor Locks Public Library, Inc., the Haskell Homestead property. This land is a five-acre parcel on Main Street, to be used “always and solely as a Public Library for the benefit of the people of Windsor Locks” as specified in Thomasine’s deed. In accordance with her gift, the library land cannot be sold, let or leased.

Growing with the Community

As Windsor Locks grew, so did the library.

In 1955, the library moved into the relocated Swindell family home on the Haskell property. A new addition opened in 1962, professionally trained librarians joined the staff in 1963, and audiovisual materials were added to the collection in 1965.

By the 1970's, the library facilities were inadequate and discussion whirled about constructing a state of the art library with books, magazines, audio visuals, computers, reading nooks, Children's Library, proper office space and meeting room. That vision became reality on June 9, 1990, when the current library building at 28 Main Street was dedicated and opened to the public.

A Unique Partnership

Today, the Windsor Locks Public Library operates through a unique partnership between the Windsor Locks Public Library, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and the Town of Windsor Locks.

The library owns the historic Haskell property, while the Town owns the building. Through a long-term lease agreement, the Library operates and maintains the building, while the Town remains responsible for major structural repairs and major building systems.

Over the years, Windsor Locks residents have enjoyed all of the benefits the Library has to offer and we have been the recipient of on-going support from our community. The WLPL has received generous support through a number of fund-raising events such as books sales, and targeted fund-raising which go immediately and directly to purchasing specific items for the library such as a playhouse for the Children’s area, a bench for our patio, gift-of-reading donations, and Bricks of Remembrance, as examples.

In addition to targeted fundraising, the Library is required to file this 990 report annually with the Department of the Treasury. The filing includes detailed information about our finances, operations, and governance, and is submitted by our accounting firm, who oversee our accounting at the Library on a monthly basis.

It is through the dedication of the WLPL staff, and support of the Town of Windsor Locks that the Library is able to provide services to the people of our town. The Library is a cornerstone of the community, and we are not just about books anymore. Many educational opportunities are available to the community at the WLPL, which helps the library deliver on our mission statement, which is:

“The Windsor Locks Public Library provides equal access to diverse resources and services that enhance the intellectual, creative, and leisure development of the community.”