A little about ourselves
Killingly Public Library, originally known as Bugbee Memorial Library, has been serving the informational and recreational needs of our diverse community since 1902. We strive to provide equal access, for all ages, to both traditional and electronic resources in order to enhance life-long learning, facilitate research, and encourage the on-going pursuit of knowledge. As Gail Carson Levine said, “A library is infinity under a roof.”
Bugbee Memorial Library
The Library began in 1854 when the "Young Men's Library Association of Danielsonville" was organized. A circulating library was first opened in 1861 in Dowe's store and was moved four times until, in 1877, it became "The People's Library Association" and was housed in the "Music Hall Block" (now the Town Hall).
In 1889, the People's Library Association transferred control of the Library to the Borough of Danielsonville on condition that it be made free to all borough residents. The Free Public Library was formally opened in 1892, and in 1899 it was made free to all town residents.
Prior to 1900, a group of citizens purchased land for a library and the "Westfield Ecclesiastical Society" deeded an adjoining parcel which increased the frontage. The building was made possible by a $15,000 bequest from the estate of Edwin Holmes Bugbee for a library to be called "Bugbee Memorial Library Building" (now the Killingly Historical Society).
The "Beaux Arts" building was designed by Walter J. Paine, a Boston architect. It was complete in March 1903 and dedicated June 2, 1903.
From a collection of 6,000 books at the time of dedication, the library grew to a collection of 30,460 items.
The first annual circulation in the Bugbee building was 2,050. It increased to 90,123 items, including 8,687 from the Bookmobile which was delivered April 24, 1980.
In 1986 the Library began circulating audio discs and tapes as well as video tapes.
In 1987 Bugbee Memorial became part of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) database and added its own OCLC workstation that December.
In 1991, a group of local citizens formed a nonprofit they titled "The Friends of Killingly's Bugbee Library" (still active today) with the mission "to focus public attention on library services, facilities, and needs, and to encourage donations, gifts, endowments, and bequests to the library, thereby stimulation increased usage and enhancement of library resources and services, and thus helping to enrich the lives of the local community." In response to the concerns of this new group of library advocates, the Town of Killingly established the Library Facilities Committee for the purpose of selecting a new site for the ever-growing Library. That new site became the Killingly Public Library you know and love today!
In 1889, the People's Library Association transferred control of the Library to the Borough of Danielsonville on condition that it be made free to all borough residents. The Free Public Library was formally opened in 1892, and in 1899 it was made free to all town residents.
Prior to 1900, a group of citizens purchased land for a library and the "Westfield Ecclesiastical Society" deeded an adjoining parcel which increased the frontage. The building was made possible by a $15,000 bequest from the estate of Edwin Holmes Bugbee for a library to be called "Bugbee Memorial Library Building" (now the Killingly Historical Society).
The "Beaux Arts" building was designed by Walter J. Paine, a Boston architect. It was complete in March 1903 and dedicated June 2, 1903.
From a collection of 6,000 books at the time of dedication, the library grew to a collection of 30,460 items.
The first annual circulation in the Bugbee building was 2,050. It increased to 90,123 items, including 8,687 from the Bookmobile which was delivered April 24, 1980.
In 1986 the Library began circulating audio discs and tapes as well as video tapes.
In 1987 Bugbee Memorial became part of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) database and added its own OCLC workstation that December.
In 1991, a group of local citizens formed a nonprofit they titled "The Friends of Killingly's Bugbee Library" (still active today) with the mission "to focus public attention on library services, facilities, and needs, and to encourage donations, gifts, endowments, and bequests to the library, thereby stimulation increased usage and enhancement of library resources and services, and thus helping to enrich the lives of the local community." In response to the concerns of this new group of library advocates, the Town of Killingly established the Library Facilities Committee for the purpose of selecting a new site for the ever-growing Library. That new site became the Killingly Public Library you know and love today!
Mission statement
The mission of the Killingly Public Library is to help fulfill the educational and recreational needs of the community by providing free access to information and creative ideas through a variety of materials, services and programs.
Our services
Currently Killingly Public Library is open for public use 50 hours a week, including five weekdays, five evenings, and Saturdays. In addition to the traditional library print and media lending services, we also offer lots of entertaining and educational programming for all age groups, and 21 public access computers that can be used by patrons and guests for a variety of purposes including internet browsing, research, word processing, and distance/online learning.
Our Online Public Access Catalog allows patrons to manage their library account, and browse, request, and hold materials from our collection and the collections of other libraries around the state. Killingly residents can also download audio books and eBooks through iConn and Overdrive. We also offer an assortment of online databases and resources spanning a wide variety of interesting subjects.
To utilize our services, all you need is a valid library card from your hometown library! Come visit us and see what our library has to offer!
Our Online Public Access Catalog allows patrons to manage their library account, and browse, request, and hold materials from our collection and the collections of other libraries around the state. Killingly residents can also download audio books and eBooks through iConn and Overdrive. We also offer an assortment of online databases and resources spanning a wide variety of interesting subjects.
To utilize our services, all you need is a valid library card from your hometown library! Come visit us and see what our library has to offer!
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To File a complaint of discrimination , write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (Voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).”