Cambridge Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cambridge Public Library
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1888 building (photo 2012)
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Van Brunt & Howe (1888) William Rawn Associates (2009) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | Cambridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001931 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1982 |
The Cambridge Public Library is a public library system in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is part of the Minuteman Library Network. This network helps libraries share resources. The library has a main building and six smaller branches. These branches are spread out across the city.
In 2014, the city of Cambridge spent over $7 million on the library. This was about $66 for each person living there.
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The Main Library Building
The main building of the Cambridge Public Library is a historic place. You can find it at 449 Broadway. It was built in 1888. A generous person named Frederick H. Rindge donated the land and all the money needed to build it. He was born in Cambridge.
The building's design is called Richardsonian Romanesque. This style was created by the architects Van Brunt & Howe. In 1982, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
Modern Updates and Expansion
The library went through a big change in 2009. It had a $90 million expansion and renovation. This project was led by two architecture firms from Boston. They were William Rawn Associates and Ann Beha Architects. The newly updated library opened on November 8, 2009.
The new addition made the building much larger. It more than tripled its original size. This building was also the first in the United States to use a special type of wall. It's called European Double-Skin Curtainwall technology. During the construction, the library's books were moved to the Longfellow School.
The grassy area around the main building is a popular spot. Many different groups meet there. People play pickup soccer or practice slacklining. Others have picnics or study groups. Some even practice martial arts.
Solar System Model Exhibit
Before the main library was renovated, it had a special exhibit. It was a scale model of the planet Saturn. This model was part of the Boston Museum of Science's community-wide solar system model. The Saturn model was located near the old book stacks.
When the library was renovated, the Saturn model was sent back to the Museum of Science. It is no longer at the library. However, you can still find other planet models in Cambridge. The Royal Sonesta Hotel has a model of Earth. The CambridgeSide mall has a model of Mars.
How the Library Started
The Cambridge Public Library has a long history. It began as the Cambridge Athenaeum in 1849. This was a place where people could borrow books. They paid one dollar a year to be members. It also had a reading room.
In 1858, the City of Cambridge took over the Cambridge Athenaeum. They renamed it the Dana Library. It was used as both a city hall and a public library. By 1866, the library moved to a new location. In 1874, a big change happened. The library became free for everyone to use. At that time, it was renamed the Cambridge Public Library. The main building we know today was built in 1888.
Library Branches
Besides the main building, Cambridge has six smaller libraries. These are called neighborhood branch libraries. They are located in different parts of the city.
- Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Avenue, West Cambridge
- Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street, Cambridgeport
- Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Avenue, West Cambridge
- O'Connell Branch, 48 Sixth Street, East Cambridge
- O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue, North Cambridge
- Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge Street, East Cambridge
