On February 11, 1884, Mr. Edward A. Goodnow deeded the town of Princeton a tract of land with a building to be used as a public library. Located just north of the common and part of an elevated plateau, it commanded a “formidable view.”

Named for its benefactor, the library is built from rose-tinted granite from Milford, Massachusetts, combined with Longmeadow brownstone. The building has a square tower, semi-circular bay window, and shapely gable. Above the entrance to the library in the clock tower is a Meneely bell, inscribed “Goodnow Memorial Building – Knowledge is Power.”

The east half of the library houses fiction, audio and video, young adult, and the director’s office. The west wing houses the non-fiction and reference collection, children’s room, and technical service space. The renovation transformed the basement into a story hour room, kitchen, and small meeting room.