Athol Public Library

Library service in Athol dates back to 1830 when the Athol Social Library offered books to local readers. Between 1850 and 1860, the Athol Agricultural and Mechanical Library served various groups. Area churches also maintained their own small libraries to serve the members of their congregations.

On November 13, 1878, an organization calling itself the Athol Library Association was formed. To this early group the Athol Public Library is directly related, for, in 1882, the association offered its book collection to the town on the condition that municipal funds be appropriated to provide housing for the collection and to purchase additional books. In April 1882, the town voted to accept these resources (1063 books) and appropriated $300 to support the new Athol Free Public Library. A library committee of five to seven elected members oversaw the institution until 1886 when the number of committee members was established at six.

This first public library was located on the second story of the home of Joel M. Doane, 268 School Street, and Mrs. Doane served as the librarian. Under town management, the library soon outgrew “the front parlor up one flight.” In 1887, the committee leased Mr. Doane’s vacant barn and hired as the librarian his daughter-in-law, Mercie S. Doane. The library was moved to the barn, the Dewey Decimal system was adopted, and a card file was developed.

In July 2012, under the guidance of Deb Blanchard, the library began another major renovation which replaced the 1965 addition, increased the library’s size from 8,000 to 20,000 square feet, added much-needed program and meeting room spaces, and included a larger parking area and park along the Miller’s River. Andrew Carnegie was not involved with this project, but his original library building was beautifully restored and renovated. The Starrett Company was involved again with supporting this new project with the gift of land and money. The new library opened on December 30, 2013.