New Haven Free Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Haven Free Public Library |
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| Established | 1887 |
| Location | New Haven, Connecticut, United States |
| Branches | 6 (including Bookmobile) |
| Collection | |
| Size | 485,823 |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 314,686 |
| Population served | 129,779 (New Haven, 2010) |
| Members | 42,838 (FY 2011-12) |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $3,617,074 (FY 2012-13) |
| Director | Martha Brogan |
| Staff | 38 FT (FY 2013-14) |
| Website | NHFPL.org |
The New Haven Free Public Library (also known as the NHFPL) is the main public library system. It serves the city of New Haven, Connecticut. Libraries are places where you can borrow books, movies, and music. They also offer computers, internet access, and fun programs for everyone.
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Discover the New Haven Library!
The New Haven Free Public Library started in 1887. It began in a rented building. Soon, it needed a much bigger space because so many people wanted to use it.
The Main Building: Ives Memorial Library
The Ives Memorial Library is the main branch of the library system. You can find it right on the New Haven Green. This beautiful building was designed by a famous architect named Cass Gilbert. It was finished in 1911. The building looks like an old, grand house, a style called neo-Georgian. In 1990, the library was updated and made even larger.
Amazing Art Inside the Main Library
The main library has some really cool art. There are special paintings called murals. These murals were created as part of a government project called the Public Works Administration. Two round murals in the main hall show scenes from New Haven's past. They were designed by Bancel LaFarge.
You can also find murals about Rip Van Winkle in a meeting room. These were painted in 1934 by a team of artists. Salvatore DiNaio and Frank J. Rutkowski led this team. The Ives Library also has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were designed by David Wilson. They include circular, rectangular, and half-round shapes.
Exploring Library Branches
Besides the main Ives Memorial Library, there are other branches. These are located in different neighborhoods. You can find branches in Westville (called Mitchell), Fair Haven, Dixwell (called Stetson), and The Hill (called Wilson). The Wilson branch has a special art piece by Leila Daw. It shows different patterns of how people have moved to New Haven over time.
A Fresh New Look
In April 2012, the library celebrated its 125th birthday! To mark this special occasion, the library got a new look. This included new designs and changes to how you could borrow items. They also started using a new name for their system: NHFPL125+.
