A shelf of books of travels and stories in a blacksmith’s shop served as Fitchburg’s first library. This was followed by a series of subscription libraries, including those of the Fitchburg Philosophical Society and Athenaeum.

In 1852, following legislation providing towns and cities the legal right to establish free libraries, Fitchburg’s annual town meeting approved a building committee to procure or provide a room for a library in the new Town Hall. In 1859 the town voted to appropriate the sum of $1,831 for the establishment of a Free Town Library. The new library continued to be housed in Town Hall.

Fitchburg’s incorporation as a city in 1872 inspired businessman and civic leader Rodney Wallace to donate land and funds to create a library, reading room and gallery in a discrete public building rather than a room in the Town Hall. The dedication of the Wallace Library and Art Building took place on July 1, 1885 and was attended by 600 people.

One of the first children’s rooms in the country was established in the library in 1899. Empowered by its success and the need for additional space, Mrs. George R. Wallace, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, mobilized students in the city’s 27 public and parochial schools to raise funds for an expanded facility. Their enthusiasm and dedication inspired adults in the community and together they made possible the dedication of the Fitchburg Youth Library on September 27, 1950, the first children’s library building in the country.

The Wallace family continued to support the library and in 1967 George R. Wallace, Jr., donated $700,000 to match a federal grant for construction of the current Wallace Library, a new, larger, and modern facility designed by Carl Koch Associates. A new addition is currently being planned.

Photo courtesy of Fitchburg Public Library