Newton Free Library marks 150th anniversary

Back in 1875, Newton residents might have had their noses buried in books like Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy or The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde. Luckily for them, unlike in many parts of the country at the time, Newton had its own library, giving local readers access to the world of literature.

Fast-forward 150 years, and the beloved Newton Free Library marked the impressive anniversary with a series of events on November 8, including a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, and performances for adults and kids. The Library will continue anniversary celebrations through March 2026.

“It’s a wonderful thing for Newton,” said Library Director Jill Mercurio after a lively, packed children’s performance by Tom Knight and His Musical Puppets. The institution’s longevity “shows a deep-rooted … love of reading and knowledge,” she said.

After the recent refurbishment of the Children’s Room and the creation of the Tween/Teen area on the first floor, Mercurio said next on the agenda of continuing improvements will be updating furniture and keeping the book collection fresh.

Keeping the building an inviting, user-friendly destination is key. 

“We want people to know this is a place where information can be trusted and explored,” she said.

Standing in the Children’s Room after the energetic kids’ show, Dr. Emeka Okeke said his wife brings their three youngsters to the library at least once a week. 

While his older son loves the I Survived book series by Lauren Tarshis, his 3-year-old is eager to visit right after preschool to play and read.

Looking out over the bustling play area, Okeke said he was not surprised when Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told the crowd at the kids’ show that the Newton and Boston libraries alternate as the busiest in the state. 

In the adult area on the first floor, seniors sat reading papers, while others worked or browsed. There, Carol Lubkowski, an academic librarian living in Newton, also said it made perfect sense to her that Newton’s library is so popular. 

Looking for her next read, she gazed up at the airy, sunlit atrium and praised the space and selection. A frequent visitor, Lubkowski said that although she has never used the “Library of Things,” she was glad the resource existed. “Should I ever need [something], I know they’ve got me covered,” she said.

Nearby, longtime visitor Barbara Abramowitz perused a book display. She shared that she’s been member of a book group for about 40 years – the same amount of time she’s been borrowing from the ever-changing collection.

Even with numerous books at home, she said, “I love the library. … It’s a fantastic place.”

As part of the day’s celebration, the Library offered a jazz concert featuring local artists Elaine Woo, vocalist, and Stephen Tassone, playing the guitar. Ms. Woo told the audience that her mother, an immigrant from China, was a catalogue librarian, who would take her young daughter with her when she went to work on Saturdays. Ms. Woo said, “the library was a place with no limits at all. It was my introduction to what was possible.”

A few fun facts

According to its website, the Newton Free Library:

• Has a collection that exceeds 366,000 print and 183,400 non-print and digital items
• Has an annual circulation of close to 2 million 
• Welcomes over 600,000 people per year
• Offers a collection of over 450,000 physical items, including books, music CDs, audiobooks, playaway, DVDs/Blu-rays, video games, and magazines
• Has non-traditional library items in its “Library of Things” collection
• Carries books and DVDs in Russian and Chinese, and a growing collection of World Language books
• Is part of the Minuteman Library Network
• Offers thousands of downloadable ebooks and audiobooks, and streaming movies, tv shows, and music
• Offers art shows, lectures, events and museum passes.

A bit of Newton Free Library history

An open, classic, orderly brick building is the current home of the Newton Free Library on Homer Street – the busiest library in the Minuteman Library Network.  It bears no hint of resemblance to the older building it replaced, which had a hodgepodge of additions, and limited space, parking, or accessibility.

The predecessor building, which opened to the public in 1870 and was given to the city in 1876, became a source of controversy, as it was located near the city’s easternmost border, at 414 Centre Street, inconvenient for much of the city. Many villages compensated by building local branches, which contained a limited number of volumes, augmented by requests from the main library. 

Finally, the Friends and Trustees of the Library secured the City’s commitment to build a large, centralized, well-equipped library, named for Theodore D. Mann, Newton’s mayor at the time. The current building, opened in 1991, was built to meet changing, expanding local needs. 

Although most of the branches were closed when the new building opened, most of those buildings remain, and two of them – in Waban and Auburndale – are home to community-supported local libraries, not affiliated with the Newton Free Library.

City Councilor Bill Humphrey, who participated in the 150th Anniversary festivities, told Fig City News that he and the current library building were both born in 1991. He considers it the crown jewel of Newton’s municipal government. He said that people come from everywhere to use it, they always are always impressed with its size and resources.

Summing up

In summing up the event, Sharon Stout, Vice President of the Trustees of the Library said:

On Saturday, the Newton Free Library marked its 150th anniversary with a vibrant, community-wide celebration that truly affirmed its status as the crown jewel of our city. Over 300 parents and children gathered throughout the morning to enjoy creative activities and performances specifically designed for young families, filling the Library with laughter and energy. This enthusiastic turnout highlights the Library’s enduring role as a beloved place for all generations to learn, connect, and be inspired.

The event not only honored the Library’s long history and service but also showcased its importance as the heart of literacy, culture, and community in Newton for the past 150 years. The Newton Free Library’s 150th birthday brought people from all walks of life together, celebrating a legacy that will continue to enrich our community for generations to come.

I am very proud and honored to be the Vice President of the Trustees for Newton Free Library, and I can’t wait to see what our next chapter brings.