Prior to the establishment of Wilmington’s first public library in 1871, the Wilmington Social Library existed in a private home for use by a select group of citizens. There were also small libraries in the Town’s district schoolhouses. After approval of a warrant article at the February 1871 Town Meeting, Wilmington’s first public library opened on July 1, 1871, in the rear of the Town Hall, the building which is now the Art Center. Charles W. Swain, a prominent Wilmington citizen who was instrumental in the establishment of the public library, became its first Librarian. He acted as both the Town Treasurer and Town Librarian until 1879. In 1872, a five-member Board of Library Trustees was elected. In the 1873 annual report, the Board stated that its goal for the library was to serve not only as an educational institution but a source of social and moral improvement for its citizens. By 1873, the library collection totaled 600 books.

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