Ware Library, Ware, Massachusetts

While we were touring libraries in central Massachusetts, we found ourselves in Ware. The Ware Library is a stunning gothic style building that was originally founded as the Young Men’s Library Association in 1881. It was gray and rainy on the day of our visit, so being able to walk in and escape the elements was welcome.

When we first entered the space, the main area was filled to the brim with materials. Both levels were stacked with shelves with every ounce of space utilized. The first level housed the fiction and AV materials and the second level housed the nonfiction collection. The colorful fairy lights draping the railing of the second level made the area feel incredibly cozy. There was a table and some chairs on the second floor to allow visitors a space to read or work.

We continued our exploration and found the teen space to the right of the main lobby. This is where we found a card catalog that still had typed out cards in the drawers. What a fun discovery! There was another set of catalog drawers that was refurbished into a seed library. Something we see often in our travels.

Moving on to the left side of the library, we found a community room where more materials were kept, but there was also an abundance of seating available for patrons. The TV, puzzles, and board games available make it apparent that this is a space used for programming and other socializing opportunities. We also saw a taxidermy fisher cat on display in this room, and as mentioned in our Leroy Pollard Public Library post, we saw two on this day, which was surprising for us!

Our visit concluded by going downstairs to the children’s area. This was also an area where the librarians used as much of the space that was available to them. There were shelves of materials and a story time area that doubled as a play area. This floor was much more colorful than the previous spaces we encountered!

The Ware Library is small, but it has a lot of heart. Despite its modest size, the library exudes character and genuine care for its community. The effort to serve the community with programming and services with the resources this library has been given is evident. It’s a great example of how much impact a library can have on its community through quiet dedication.