Watertown Public Library

Built in 1958 to meet the growing needs of the reading community in Watertown, this modern stone building was made possible by a major fundraising campaign, grants from the Watertown Foundation, and the Veterans of World War II. 

In 1966 the Smith house and land next to the library was purchased for $30,000.  This new acquisition would allow the Library Association to enlarge their building at a future time and to create additional parking.

The town was growing and in 1979 there was a 7000 square foot addition added to the main library to hold the children’s collection, mezzanine and offices.   With this expansion additional parking was also made on the Smith property.   

In 2018 in order to meet the needs of a dedicated space for library programs and meetings, the Watertown Library Association added the Woodward Atrium, a 1300 square foot space to the existing building.  This addition enlarged the interior space and revitalized the building.  The atrium features state of the art technology in its expansive multi-purpose community room and the public meeting rooms.  As in the past an aggressive fundraising campaign resulting in major grants from the Woodward Fund, Timken Foundation, as well as generous contributions from Watertown Foundation and Thomaston Savings Bank Foundations, local organizations, businesses and individual donors provided the funds needed.     

For more information, check out the organization’s website:  Watertown Library