In 1793, New Ipswich established a subscription library that was held in shares. It held three to four hundred volumes which were lost to a fire in 1812.

In the late 1800s, under the leadership of Miss Caroline F. Barr, the women of New Ipswich undertook measures to raise funds for a public library. Residents, former residents, and friends were all asked to assist in this endeavor. The library was given a room in the bank building, but a more suitable place was sought. The New Ipswich Library building was first occupied in 1895. It soon became a rallying center for the village.

The library contained a carefully selected and balanced collection of 6,000 volumes, a reading room with periodicals, a reference library, a children’s department with suitably sized furniture, an Arts and Crafts department with 140 volumes, and a Farmer’s shelf. Prized above all else was a case devoted to books written by natives or residents of New Ipswich. Open two days a week, books could be taken out by both residents and visitors without a fee.

In 1902, a bequest was received from Mrs. Sarah Fletcher Hubbard in the amount of $4,000. A sum of $1,000 was to be used to purchase a selection of books, which were to make up “The Helen Fletcher Collection” in memory of her sister. The building was too small to accommodate such an addition. An annex was added and paid for by Professor James Barr Ames, who also included funding for the librarian’s salary.

Over the years bequests were made by William Boynton, a trustee ($5,000 for books and periodicals), Samuel H. Wentworth ($1,000), and Henry Ames Blood, a former resident ($10,000), which provided resources for the library to grow. Its benefit to the town could not be overstated: “An ideal village library in appearance, management, and influence.”

The New Ipswich Library lies within the New Ipswich Center Village Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.