01/14/2022
Valentine's Day is a month away and we're starting to get into the spirit with our Blind Date with a Book table at Howland-Green #library! Take a chance with something new, handpicked by staff just for you! 🥰
New Bedford Free Public Library
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The New Bedford Free Public Library is located in southeastern Massachusetts. The city has 5 libraries and a Bookmobile. Visit our webpage for more information.
Address
613 Pleasant St
New Bedford, MA
02740
General information
Please note: this is a moderated page. Offensive or inappropriate content will be deleted. This social media account is a limited public forum, not an open forum and the topics addressed on this site are limited to the following subjects: the topic of respective posts related to the library and its projects, initiatives, operations, and communication with the public. Comments unrelated to these designated topics may be subject to removal. Comments that contain any of the following content may also be subject to removal: content that is profane, obscene, violent, threatening or pornographic; defamatory or personal attacks; solicitations or advertising; material that violates trademark or copyright interests; content regarding a political campaign, candidate or ballot measure; material that is discriminatory, biased, intimidating or hateful toward any individual or group; postings that encourage illegal activity; or information that compromises the safety and security of the public or public systems. A comment posted by a member of the public on this site is the opinion of the commentator only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the City, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the City. Commenters should be aware that their comments are public records and are subject to disclosure and retention by the City pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 9pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 9pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 5pm |
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About Us
Established in 1852 by a city ordinance, the New Bedford Free Public Library is among the earliest free municipal libraries in the United States. Beginning in 1857 and housed in the building now used as City Hall until 1910, the core of the library’s original holdings contained books, periodicals and other materials purchased from the New Bedford Social Library (founded in 1807), which had assimilated the collections of the Encyclopedia Society, New Bedford Library Society, New Bedford Athenaeum and Lyceum.
Built as a City Hall in the 1830’s, the present building was reconstructed after a fire in 1906. Once reconstruction was complete, the buildings switched permanently and is now home to significant historical holdings, including materials on Whaling, Quaker and 19th century Abolition Movement and museum-quality collection of fine art.
The Library consists of the Main Library, four branches and a Bookmobile. The Wilks, Howland-Green and Francis J. Lawler Branches were built with funds left in trust to the library by Sylvia Ann Howland-Green Wilks, whose mother was the famous financier Hetty Green. The Main Library is open 64 hours per week and the branches are open 40 hours per week. The Bookmobile is on the road 20 – 25 hours per week.
