150 Years of Enfield Libraries

1874 - Enfield’s first library, The Enfield Library Association, begins as a subscription library. Lifetime memberships cost $10

1896 - The Enfield Library Association entrusts its collection to Enfield Free Public Library on April 11th, for Enfield’s first publicly funded library

1914 - John Pickens successfully petitions Andrew Carnegie for the establishment of a new free public library on Pearl Street

1936 - Children’s Library opens in Hazardville

1937 - North Thompsonville Branch Library opens at Brainard Grammar School

1939 - Lincoln Street Branch Library opens

1958 - John Pickens Memorial Library in Hazardville opens on School Street

1968 - Enfield Central Library opens and is dedicated to “attain humanity’s goal: justice and peace through learning”

2003 - Enfield Public Library wins CT Award for Excellence in Public Library Service for the Summer Reading is Groovy Program for Outstanding Library Service

2014 - The Pearl Street Library celebrates 100 years

2024 - Enfield celebrates 150 years of libraries