The Fall River Public Library was founded in 1861, as the direct descendant of the Fall River Athenaeum, a private subscription library that had been in operation since 1835. The library was housed in the Fall River City Hall until 1886 when a fire destroyed part of the collection and forced relocation to rented premises on North Main Street. The new location, while more spacious, was not considered suitable as permanent housing for a public library, and in 1895 the City authorized the construction of a library building. The present library building on North Main Street was opened in 1899. Beginning in 2001, the library underwent a complete restoration. The original building has retained its beauty and historic appeal, but with facilities designed for the 21st-century library user.
With more computers, wireless access, and book stacks open to the public, the renovated building, opened in 2003, continues to amaze visitors with its vaulted ceilings, marble accents, and graceful design. We are still a source for books, but we now offer you access to electronic information as well. While technology changes rapidly, our mission is still to create an environment that welcomes patrons of all ages, interests, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
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