Our History

“Strangers who visit this place are frequently heard to express great surprise that so large, flourishing, and wealthy a village as this should be destitute of a public library [...] This is a standing reproach to our citizens. [...] The benefits resulting from [establishing a library] would be incalculable. It would furnish the means whereby the mind might be enriched and cultivated.”

- Newspaper excerpt from Dec 15, 1849

1830

Rev. Andrew E. Thayer begins a small circulating library. 

1840

Union Atheneum forms when several Nashua citizens donate private libraries so that books may be borrowed for a small fee. The local bookstore serves as quarters.

May 1867

Resolution passed by Board of Alderman of City of Nashua, accepting offer of Union Atheneum that a Public Library be started with its collection of 1300 volumes. City agrees to appropriate $1000 a year for support of the library.

County Records Building

February 1868

Nashua Public Library opens on the second floor of the old municipal building. 

1892

Mrs. John M. Hunt and daughter, Mary, gives the city $50,000 for the construction of a building for the library, in honor of John M. Hunt. Construction is delayed because of difficulties in obtaining the site, known as the Greeley block, at the beginning of Main Street. 

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From the Forty-fourth Annual Report, City of Nashua, 1896

September 1903

Hunt Memorial Building opens as the main library. Reflects Gothic Style of architect Ralph Adams Cram.

1924

Branch library opens in Crown Hill area.

 

1959

Miss Mabel Chandler devises her home at 257 Main Street to be used as a library. Also, she bequeaths in trust the sum of $60,000, the income of which is to be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. The Chandler branch opens one year later.

1971

Hunt Memorial Building designated a National Historic Monument. 

a black and white photo from the 70s shows a librarian helping a patron at the main desk

1995

New wing opens for music, art, and media (what is now the Chandler Wing.)

greeley lot

1894

Library moves into the first floor quarters in Odd Fellows' Building.

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1917

Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Nashua created by an act of the legislature.

1959

Bookmobile begins operations.

chandler house

1968-69

Eliot A. Carter donates gifts of $1,100,000 for construction of a new library building. 

September 1971

Dedication of new (current) building at 2 Court St. Total project cost for the current building in 1971: $2,071,017. Adjusted for inflation, about $16 million.

 

mam

2001

Library switches to online catalog system!

2004

Bookmobile makes its last run.

exterior frontfireplace in front room (2)

library staff smile in front of the bookmobile

2006

Chandler branch of library closes.

2008

Library introduces self-checkout.

self checkout

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2023

The library removes overdue fines!

2016

Chandler Wing opens with additional meeting and training rooms.