Brooks Memorial Library is a public library in the municipality of Brattleboro, Vermont. The library was founded in 1887. The current head librarian is Starr LaTronica who joined the library in December 2015. [1] The library is part of the Catamount Library Network, which provides a unified library system for over a dozen Vermont libraries.
The library was founded in 1887, when the Brattleboro Library Association's "Free Library" was moved to George J. Brooks Free Library. [2] Brooks was a successful paper wholesale entrepreneur, and upon his return to his hometown founded the library. [2] The library was designed by New England architect Alexander Curtis Currier. [3]
The original property was torn down in 1971, when the Brattleboro post office expanded, and the new library was completed in 1967 at its current location. [2] Since then, the library has been funded by a mix of the annual town budget and gifts to the Friends of the Brooks Memorial Library. [2]
The library received national press attention when a reclusive and frugal millionaire, Ronald Read, died and left $1.2 million to the library alongside an additional 4.8 million to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. [4] [5]