The Aldrich Public Library is a prominent feature of downtown Barre, at the corner of Washington and Elm Streets, across from Vermont City Park. The architecturally distinguished building was constructed in 1907 with funds from a local businessman, and was enlarged in 2000. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 and a $1.6 million addition and renovation project were recently completed.
The Aldrich Library has much to offer Barre residents and visitors, including a collection of 48,700 volumes and a full suite of digital services including e-books, an online library, wi-fi and more.
The Library hosts events and activities for all ages including the popular summer series, Authors at the Aldrich, on Wednesday evenings. The Katherine Paterson Children’s Room is home to Story Hour, the Summer Reading Program, and more. The Teen Room and other programming gives local teenagers a place to read, research and socialize. For adults, there’s a Book Discussion Group, Knitting Group, Genealogy Group and Senior Day Series.