Richard Salter Storrs Library
The Richard Salter Storrs Library is a comprehensive resource center designed to meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community.
Library service has been an integral part of Longmeadow since the eighteenth century. First mention of a library is to be found in an entry dated 1754 from the diary of the Reverend Stephen Williams. In 1895, the state of Massachusetts pledged support of expanded library services and Longmeadow received a $100 endowment. Within a few years, library funding was again increased by a generous gift from Sarah Williams Storrs. Upon her death, Miss Storrs arranged for the historic Storrs house, land and $5000 to be bequeathed to the Library, with the stipulation that the citizens of Longmeadow form a corporation, raise funds and establish the Richard Salter Storrs Library in memory of her grandfather. The Storrs House was home to the collection until the 1930's.
As Longmeadow prepared to celebrate its sesquicentennial, plans were well underway for a new library building. In 1932, the new Richard Salter Storrs Library, a handsome white brick Georgian colonial building, designed to grace the Town's Historic District, opened its doors to wide public acclaim. The partnership between the private nonprofit library corporation and the Town of Longmeadow continued to insure that quality library service at a modest cost would be provided to all residents.
By 1989, the population of Longmeadow had grown from 5,000 to over 15,000 and a much needed library expansion program received the overwhelming support of the townspeople. The original building was restored and a complementary addition was constructed. The new facility included a well-designed children's room, access for the handicapped, space for meetings and library programs, updated mechanical equipment, adequate shelf space for library materials and appropriate housing for the local history and genealogy collection.
Today, the Library provides a well rounded print and non-print collection, periodicals, audiocassettes, videocassettes and compact discs. Reference and interlibrary loan services are available at all times, as is the use of personal computers for research or word processing.
The children's department provides leisure reading, access to computers and CD-ROM's, curriculum support and homework assistance. Programs for children of all ages are held throughout the year and there is a very active summer reading program.
The Richard Salter Storrs Library, guardian of the past and resource for the future, looks forward to helping its patrons meet the demands and challenges of a changing world.
