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99 Main Street
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 373-1586
fax: (978) 373-8466
History of the Haverhill Public Library
The first library in Haverhill was the private "Haverhill Library" established in 1796. It required a $5.00 membership fee and a $1.00 annual dues. Other libraries through the years were the Apprentices' (1830), the Theological (1830), and the Mechanics (1831). A Haverhill Lyceum was established in 1830 to arrange annual lecture series for the community and also had a library. In 1860, the the major libraries - the Lyceum, Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute joined to form the "Haverhill Library Association." It served for 15 years as a relatively 'public' library.
| In 1873, one individual - E.J.M. Hale - made a proposal to the new city of Haverhill to establish a truly public library for the city. He would provide a lot on which to build and half the cost of a furnished library building, the other half to be raised by the people of Haverhill. Thereafter, a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees (with the Mayor as Chairman) would forever provide for all library materials and facilities, if the city would agree to provide funds for the maintenance of the facilities and salaries of the staff. It was so agreed, and in trust, has continued to the present time. The original building opened in November 1875 with Edward Capen, first Librarian of the Boston Public Library, as Haverhill's first Director. |
E.J.M. Hale |
Haverhill Public Library Head Librarians/Library Directors
and their tenures
Edward Capen 1874-1899
John Grant Moulton 1899-1921
Donald K. Campbell 1921-1950
Pauline F. Pulsifer 1950-1955
Charles F. Fleischner 1955-1966
Robert J. Vigeant 1966-1970
Virginia B. Bernard 1970-1981
Howard W. Curtis 1981-1996
John F. Courtney 1997-1999
Joseph R. Dionne 2000-2002
Nancy Rea 2003-2006
Library Funding
Nearly 100 permanent funds, with a value of approximately $1.75 million, have been
established. Some of the earliest provided for specific collections in the Arts &
Genealogy & Local History, which are outstanding collections today. Numerous branch
libraries have existed, but when Haverhill's first "Book Bus", the first
bookmobile in New England, was put into operation in the early 1930's, most of the branches
were closed.
Buildings
| The Library in 1873 | The Library in 1999 |
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The present building was opened in June 1969, with 30,000 square feet of library space. This was once again provided for - half by the Trustees and half through the pledges by individuals in the community. It was built with the intention of some day having a third story. In 1985, the Trustees authorized a study of the existing facility toward plans for much needed expansion.
Mark Mitchell Associates of VT was hired to assist in the evaluation, program, development, schematics, and preliminary designs. Plans were completed in 1988 for a three phase development plus extensive renovation, with the end result a 60,000 square foot facility on three levels at an estimated cost of $5.3 million. Construction began on the addition and renovation in January, 1997 and was completed in September, 1997. The new building sports a 150-year-old bell that originally hung in the old City Hall on Main Street.