Thomas Crane Public Library

Since its dedication in 1882, The Thomas Crane Library has grown from a stately monument to its namesake, the wealthy stone contractor who got his start in Quincy’s granite quarries, to one of the largest regional libraries in Massachusetts.

The original collection of 12,000 books has grown to 250,000 volumes, and holdings now include digital books and magazines, CDs,and DVDs.

In addition to space for another 100,000 volumes, the renovated and expanded library (2001) also houses a computer classroom, a 125-seat community meeting room, four small study rooms, more than 50 public use computers, a cafe, free wifi, and a light-filled atrium that seats 100 people.

Now listed in GreatBuildingsOnline, the Crane Memorial Library has been voted one of America’s 150 favorite works of architecture, and dubbed by the MSN City Guides as one of the 10 coolest public libraries in the country.