Wellesley Home Magazine 2022-23

Library
WELLESLEY FREE LIBRARY
We invite you to explore the history of the Wellesley Free Library Until the 1850’s most libraries were private,
subscription based, or library companies. There were several of these scattered throughout Wellesley including the
Needham Farmers’ library of Alvin Fuller II and The West Needham Library in Waban Block as well as a Sewing Circle in
the Fells which circulated books.
The Main Library has 56,000 square feet on the first and second floors; plus there is 28,000 square feet in the basement,
which includes parking and storage. There are 17,158 Wellesley residents with library cards. The Library is open 7 days
a week. There are 204,140 books in the Library’s collection, 18,608 DVDs, 18,563 music CDs and audio books, 85,824
eBooks and 16,414 downloadable audio books. The Library subscribes to 209 magazines and 92 databases.
A Year in the Life of Wellesley Free Library
This is what happened at the Wellesley Free Library from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:
There are 20,576 Wellesley residents with library cards. The Library is open 7 days a week. There are 186,480 books in
the Library’s collection, 17,550 DVDs, 15,519 music CDs and audio books, 62,856 eBooks and 25,888 downloadable audio
books. The Library subscribes to 228 magazines and 37 locally owned databases plus 52 databases from the Massachusetts
Library System.
281,593 people of all ages walked through the doors. Each had an individual reason for visiting the Library;
628,787 items were checked out or renewed;
424,317 of items circulated were books;
126,684 questions were answered by the Information Services Staff — by phone, email and through the website;
17,077 children and young adults attended 897 programs;
4,640 adults attended 477 general interest programs and computer classes;
69 volunteers donated 5,066 hours to shelve books, teach in our ESL program and provide other important support
activities;
73 full and part-time employees worked to serve you.
* Covid-19 Pandemic played a role in the statistics. All Wellesley Libraries buildings closed on March 15, 2020 through the
remainder of FY20.
Address
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
phone 781-235-1610
email: wfladmin@wellesleyfreelibrary.org
www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org
The Linden Store
is a family owned
and operated
business,
dedicated to
quality and service
since 1933
162 Linden Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
To Order Please Call:
781-235-9837
781-237-9229
orders@Lindenstore.com
Lindenstore.com
18 WellesleyHOME