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About the Library

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Our Mission

Inclusion

Inclusion

Our mission is to be an inclusive place where everyone is empowered to fulfill their informational, recreational, and cultural needs.

Literacy and Life-Long Learning

Literacy and Life-Long Learning

The Swampscott Public Library is committed to advancing literacy and live-long learning through relevant materials.

Community Hub

Community Hub

We will be an active part of the community – helping to create an informed, engaged, and connected Town through our materials, innovative programming, community spaces, and supportive staff.

Our Vision and Values

We will be a free and equitable place for everyone to discover, create, and share ideas and information. We will endeavor to preserve and promote universal access to knowledge, experiences, information, and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment.

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We value literacy and life-long learning and will endeavor to promote both for all ages with space, materials, programming, and service.
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We value our patron’s needs to have access to our collections and to our space in a variety of formats: print, electronic, audio/video, and in various languages.
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We value our staff, volunteers, Trustees, and Friends of the Library and the service they provide to our patrons and the Town.
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We value our active participation in, and support of, activities, programs and events to promote strong community connections.
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We value our patrons by providing equal, respectful, accurate and responsive service.
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There’s Something for Everyone

From books and movies to programs and volunteer opportunities, the library has something for all ages! Explore our services and resources.

Digital Resources

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Digital Resources

Library Card Application

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Library Card Application

Museum Passes

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Museum Passes

Join our team!

Job Opportunities
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Library History

1917

1917

On January 20, 1917, the library moved from Town Hall to its present location on Burrill Street. Land for the building site was donated by Professor Elihu Thomson, and funds for the building project were supplied by the Town of Swampscott and donations from local citizens. The arrangement of the new building permitted personal access to the books and provided for a modern system of classification. One side of the new building was devoted to adults and the opposite side to children. Later, in 1931, a new Children’s Room was finished and opened on the second floor.

1955

1955

In 1955, the Swampscott Public Library began construction of an addition and extensive remodeling. A new wing housing the Children’s Room and the Auditorium was added. Other changes were a new entrance and lobby, an office and technical services area, as well as a lounge for the staff and public restrooms. In addition, Henry S. Baldwin contributed books and funds used to establish a local history and genealogy room.

1997

1997

A new addition to the library was completed and opened in September. This addition now encompasses the library’s Fiction Room on the first floor and Children’s Room on the lower level. The room on the second floor that previously housed the Children’s Room is currently used as a public meeting room and as a computer teaching lab.

Complete History of the Library Library Centennial 1917-2017
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Trustees & Friends of the Library

Our Board of Trustees and Friends of the Library work to better the library through policy, volunteer help, allocation of donations and funding, and facilitation of programs.

Library Trustees
Library Trustees
Friends of the Library
Friends of the Library