Killingly Public Library

Killingly Public Library, originally known as Bugbee Memorial Library, has been serving the informational and recreational needs of our diverse community since 1902. We strive to provide equal access, for all ages, to both traditional and electronic resources in order to enhance life-long learning, facilitate research, and encourage the on-going pu... rsuit of knowledge. As Gail Carson Levine said, A library is infinity under a roof. The Library began in 1854 when the "Young Men's Library Association of Danielsonville" was organized. A circulating library was first opened in 1861 in Dowe's store and was moved four times until, in 1877, it became "The People's Library Association" and was housed in the "Music Hall Block" (now the Town Hall). In 1889, the People's Library Association transferred control of the Library to the Borough of Danielsonville on condition that it be made free to all borough residents. The Free Public Library was formally opened in 1892, and in 1899 it was made free to all town residents. Prior to 1900, a group of citizens purchased land for a library and the "Westfield Ecclesiastical Society" deeded an adjoining parcel which increased the frontage. The building was made possible by a $15,000 bequest from the estate of Edwin Holmes Bugbee for a library to be called "Bugbee Memorial Library Building" (now the Killingly Historical Society). The "Beaux Arts" building was designed by Walter J. Paine, a Boston architect. It was complete in March 1903 and dedicated June 2, 1903. From a collection of 6,000 books at the time of dedication, the library grew to a collection of 30,460 items. The first annual circulation in the Bugbee building was 2,050. It increased to 90,123 items, including 8,687 from the Bookmobile which was delivered April 24, 1980. In 1986 the Library began circulating audio discs and tapes as well as video tapes. In 1987 Bugbee Memorial became part of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) database and added its own OCLC workstation that December. In 1991, a group of local ...Read More