Connecticut's Library Heritage
Trumbull Library Courtyard
Trumbull Library Children's Room
by H. Richard Brew
The Trumbull Library system began in 1921 with a small collection of books in a
room in the firehouse in the Nichols section of town. Residents donated $1 per
family and obtained a state grant of $100 to finance the library. In 1929, a
library building was constructed, the gift of two generous residents, Erwin and
Edythe Fairchild. They also established a trust fund to provide future income
for the library.
Over the years, two additional libraries were established in Trumbull, and all
three operated independently until 1969, when they were unified and the first
town library director, Grace Birch, was appointed. A new central library
building was erected in 1972, and the Nichols library became a branch library. The
other two libraries were closed and their collections were moved into the
new central building.
The Nichols library continued to grow, and in 1991 an addition was constructed
for that building. Construction cost was about one million dollars, of which
$380,130 came from state and federal grants. The balance came from the Fairchild
Trust, and that library is now known as the Fairchild Branch Library.
The central library continued to add books, tapes, and computers as more people
utilized what had become Trumbull's primary source of information resources and
services. It was also evident that more space was needed for an expanded
children's section, and the town established a library building committee in
1992.
Architect Arnold Gustavson was engaged to create plans and specifications for a
7400 square foot addition. The building committee and the library board approved
these plans, and approval was received from the State Library for a $350,000
construction grant. The Trumbull Library Board agreed to raise $200,000 toward
the $1,700,000 cost of the new addition and requested the balance, $1,150,000,
from the Trumbull Board of Finance. Unfortunately, their request was denied.
A new proposal was then developed, which included the proposed addition as well
as major repairs to the existing library building. This also failed to receive a
favorable vote from the Finance Board, but the Trumbull Town Council reversed
the action of the Finance Board and approved $1,150,000 for the total library
project. The State Library Board, sympathetic to the local political problem,
granted time extensions so that the state grant remained available. The Library
Board of Directors successfully raised $200,000, and a groundbreaking ceremony
was held in April 1999.
In addition to the usual collections, computers, and reading spaces, Trumbull
Library has a community room that seats 200 and a conference room that seats 20.
For many years, the Friends of the Trumbull Library have assisted in providing
books and other items that are needed but for which the budget is inadequate.
Their income is derived from membership dues and book sales throughout the year.
Today, the new addition is complete and its use increases daily. Extensive
renovations have been made to the original building as well, and our patrons are
quite pleased with the completed projects. Come see our new library addition at
the Libratects meeting on Thursday, October 18, 9:30 am. People involved in the
design and construction of the project will be available to answer questions.
H. Richard Brew is chair, Trumbull Library Board of Directors.