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The Springfield Free Public Library began in 1931 as a creation of the Springfield Parent-Teacher Association, which donated $50.00 toward its beginning. Then called the Springfield Library Association, the library consisted of 1000 volumes and was housed in the Brookside Building at the corner of Morris and Mountain Avenues. Within the first year approximately 750 library cards had been issued.
In 1943 the library was moved to the Sarah Bailey House located in Church Mall. The 125 year old house was built by a merchant named Samuel Bailey, and given to the town after the death of his daughter Sarah. Sarah Bailey’s will stipulated the house “shall be used for the purpose and as a site for a public library.” An addition to the library building was completed in April, 1957.
Ground was broken at the present site at 66 Mountain Avenue in 1966 and the building was completed in 1969.
Improvements to the library building were made in 2004, including the construction of an audio-visual room, a “Teen Room,” and quiet study rooms.
As of 2008, the library owned more than 83,000 volumes, owned more than 10,000 audio-visual materials, and held subscriptions to approximately 200 magazines and a variety of online databases which are available to residents at any time.
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