Billerica Public Library

The Billerica Public Library is a public library in Billerica, Massachusetts.[1] Since 2000 it has been located on Concord Road.[2]

History

Eleanor Bennett, library donor, ca.1883

In the late 19th century, "Billerica's free library, known as the Bennett Public Library, was founded by Mrs. Joshua Bennett, who erected, at a cost of $9,000, a suitable building for the purpose, and deeded it to the Bennett Library Association in 1880. ... The town contributes nothing for the support of the library."[3] The architects of the Bennett building were Boston architects Rotch & Tilden.

Initially, subscribers were charged an annual fee for use of the library.[4] By 1899, "the membership fee to the associates, to whom a few special privileges are allowed, is one dollar, but all citizens are given the free use of the library."[5]

In fiscal year 2008, the town of Billerica spent 1.09% of its budget on the library -- some $29 per person. The library's total budget was $1,209,203.[6]

References

  1. ↑ http://mblc.state.ma.us/libraries/directory/index.php Retrieved 2010-05-18
  2. ↑ http://www.billericalibrary.org/about.html Retrieved 2010-08-04
  3. ↑ Henry Stedman Nourse, ed. Free public libraries of Massachusetts. 9th Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1899. Google books
  4. ↑ Henry Allen Hazen. History of Billerica, Massachusetts: with a Genealogical register. A. Williams and Co., 1883. Google books
  5. ↑ Nourse. 1899
  6. ↑ July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What’s Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: Municipal Pie Reports

Further reading

External links

Image gallery

Coordinates: 42°33′30″N 71°16′11″W / 42.5583°N 71.2698°W / 42.5583; -71.2698

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