The Wollaston Branch Library is located in the heart of an active business district and is within walking distance of many library users. The Wollaston Woman’s Club conducted a drive that resulted in the purchase of the land on which the building was erected in 1922. Community residents, including school children, bought land by the foot until approximately 8,500 square feet were acquired. The Woman’s Club continued its effort on behalf of the library by launching a book drive to fill empty shelves and by providing chairs for the recreation room. Wollaston Glee Club donated a piano.

The branch library was one of architect William Chapman’s earliest Quincy commissions. He chose a Classical Revival style. The rectangular single-story building has a hip roof and exterior walls of stucco. Its elegant entrance boasts many architectural details, including a book in low relief. Part of the Crane Memorial Fund was used to build the $15,000 neighborhood library.

The official opening in early 1923 was attended by Mayor George E. Adams; library trustees; and Truman Temple, librarian. Miss Catherine Saville, the branch librarian, was not in attendance, having been confined to her house with a broken ankle.

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The Thomas Crane Public Library inspires curiosity, sparks imagination, fosters community, and connects people to the online world.

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The increase in Quincy’s population during the late 1940s and the 1950s spurred a need for expanded library services and led to the building of the North Quincy Branch. Among initial suggestions put forth for the site was a parcel in front of North Quincy High School, at the corner of East Squantum and Hancock streets, and for property owned by Joseph Grossman near Sagamore Street. In late 1961, Mayor Amelio Della Chiesa recommended the use of two lots opposite the Sacred Heart Church.

The land was taken by eminent domain in early 1962, and the contemporary design for the structure was created by Quincy architects Hanlon and Donahue. The L.C. Blake Construction Company won the building contract for $219,224. Just before the dedication, the Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees noted that the $300,000 cost of the new branch was the first instance “that the City of Quincy had spent a penny for a library building.”

Mayor Della Chiesa presided over the formal dedication of the branch on September 9, 1963. Also present were City Council President Charles Shea, Councillors John J. Quinn and George Burke, and branch librarian Louise Donegan.

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The Adams Shore Branch Library was formally dedicated by Mayor James R. McIntyre on April 10, 1970. The building, designed by Coletti Brothers, Architects of Hingham, Mass., was erected in 1969 by Waltham Building Construction Company.

The front of the building is a cylindrical mass of glass which, in combination with interior wooden beams, suggests a ship’s wheel. The back of the building fans out from the circular structure to house a program room and other facilities. The building site is at the intersection of Sea and Palmer streets, positioned to serve Houghs Neck, Germantown, Adams Shore, and Merrymount.

The building was financed through a municipal bond, a federal grant, and City appropriations. Total expenditure for the branch library was around $600,000, which included a $75,000 federal reimbursement grant and $20,000 in urban beautification funds for landscaping.

Henry E. Bates was director of libraries during the initial planning of the branch, and Warren E. Watson was director during the building and opening of the branch. Ms. Betty Santangelo was the acting branch librarian and Mrs. Blanche Eckert was the children’s librarian when the branch opened.

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