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Worcester,Mass - Places of the Past, Public Library
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Description
On December 23, 1859, an ordinance was passed establishing a Free Public Library in Worcester. This library started with 11,500 volumes of which 7,000 were donated by the Dr. John Green. The remaining 4,500 were given by the Lyceum and Library Association as a nucleus of a circulating department. The library was opened to the public at Worcester Bank Block, Foster Street on April 30 of the following year. By 1895, the library had 100,000 volumes on its shelves. This library was the first one of any size in New England to open its doors on Sundays.
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User Stories and Comments
The following are comments left about Public Library from site visitors such as yourself. They are not spell checked or reviewed for accuracy.
Jack Kenny - Report this comment
The Public Library was on Elm St,just up from Main St.Got my Library card here and would stop in on the way home from St. Paul's School on High St.
Deanna Murray - Report this comment
How well I remember the library. I was not even old enough to sign my name when I started to go there and remained a faithful member until I left Worcester. This site brings back many, many memories. Thank you.
Jeff Cote - Report this comment
On December 23, 1859, an ordinance was passed establishing a Free Public Library in Worcester. This library started with 11,500 volumes of which 7,000 were donated by the Dr. John Green. The remaining 4,500 were given by the Lyceum and Library Association as a nucleus of a circulating department. The library was opened to the public at Worcester Bank Block, Foster Street on April 30 of the following year. By 1895, the library had 100,000 volumes on its shelves. This library was the first one of any size in New England to open its doors on Sundays.
Ralph Wyman - Report this comment
My first job was as a page at the old library in the 60's. Until the new one was built; I loved combing the stacks for rare books, and when things weren't busy reading Worcester newspapers from the 1800's and before. I worked at the new library too; but it was not nearly as magical as Elm St.
Janice (Pepin) Young - Report this comment
The picture of the Library on Elm street brought back some memories for me. I was a clerk Typist there and processing the new books that came through the catalog division. I worked there from 1958 to 1960 when I got married. I now live in Pasadena, Tx.
Mustermann - Report this comment
Just like Jack Kenny, although I don't know him, I would stop in on the way home from St. Paul's School, ca. 1962-63.
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