Brimfield Public Library, Brimfield, Massachusetts
On a snowy day, we had a nice visit to the adorable little Brimfield Public Library in Brimfield, Massachusetts. The town is home to around 4,000 people and is best known as the home of the Brimfield Antiques Flea Market. The events, which take place in May, July, and September, attract nearly a million people to the town!
Trudging toward the library under a brisk blue sky, we were struck by the architecture, which combines elements of Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts style. These included exposed beams, a stone facade, fantastical fixtures, and maybe the loveliest library fireplace we’ve seen. The library was incorporated under a subscription model in 1731. It has since become public. The main part of the library was built in 1903, with an addition in 1965. Both, by our observation, are in excellent condition.
As you enter, children's is to your right, and adult materials to the left. Children's features a sweet window seat and the aforementioned fireplace. The space and shelves are brimming with books, toys, and activities. It was really engaging. A table and chairs were set up in front of the fireplace, creating a nice sitting/reading area.
On the adult side, in addition to the print collection, you’ll also find public technology, digital media, and an archive of five local newspapers. They harken back to the time when papers were the primary means of conveying the news. Today, sadly, many communities don’t have a single paper or even a dedicated news website. This absence makes cohesion more difficult and communities more fractured.
To the rear of the library is the Sherman Room, the core of the 1965 expansion. It serves multiple purposes. It’s a program space, a history room, a museum, and, since libraries are chronically short of space, storage. It’s a funny little space with an even funnier little bathroom that seems to be intent on confusing people, whether they can use it or not!
We watched a steady flow of people coming to use the library. The staff was professional and friendly. We were able to chat for a while and learned about the library, its history, and the town. We were impressed to learn that 50 people participated in the Winter Reading program. When asked about the most popular items, games and DVDs was the response. We also confirmed that the library is closed during the flea market. Understandable given the volume of people and traffic the events attract.
We enjoyed our visit to Brimfield. It provided a warm and weekend atmosphere for visitors. It’s a little band box of a library, but it’s lovely, well-used, and a great example of a robust small town library.