The Cornwall Library
🏢 Cornwall Library Association · Cornwall, Connecticut
The Cornwall Library
Founded on October 2, 1869 in the study of a local reverend, The Cornwall Library Association has grown from a subscription reading room into a free public library open six days a week and serving the rural Litchfield Hills community from its purpose-built building on Pine Street.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–7pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–5pm |
| Friday | 12pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–3pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 30 Pine St., CORNWALL, CT 06753
Phone: (860) 672-6874
Website: cornwalllibrary.org
Plus Code: 87H8RMV9+5X (CORNWALL, CT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About The Cornwall Library
The Cornwall Library is the public library of Cornwall, a small town in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, and one of the state's longer-serving community libraries. It was established on October 2, 1869, when the founders gathered in Rev. E.C. Sanford's study with a mission that 'a well selected Library in this Town, would promote a desire for useful Knowledge and Mental and Moral Cultivation.' After moving twice, the library occupied an elegant stone building donated by John E. Calhoun in 1908 for $25,000 — its home for nearly a century. In 1945 the library transitioned to a fully free public library, eliminating membership dues. A long-serving librarian, Emily Marsh, guided the collection for 42 years before retiring in 1962. In 2002 the library opened its current 28,000-item facility on adjacent land, with separate wings for children's services and community meetings. Today the collection exceeds 28,000 items and is part of the Autographics consortium, giving Connecticut residents access through interlibrary loan.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded October 2, 1869 — one of Connecticut's oldest continuously operating community libraries, with over 155 years of service
- Collection exceeds 28,000 items including books, audiobooks, videos and digital resources in a purpose-built facility opened 2002
- Open six days a week including Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings until 7 p.m.
- Separate children's wing and community meeting room in the current building
- Part of the Autographics consortium, enabling statewide interlibrary loans across Connecticut
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Cornwall Library cardholders can borrow digitally and access Connecticut's statewide resources for free:
📚 Services
- Interlibrary loan through the Autographics consortium
- Curbside pick-up
- Community meeting room
- Children's wing with dedicated programs
- Special collections and reader advisory
- Art exhibitions and community events
🎸 Programs
- Children's programming and recommended reads for young readers
- Community events and art exhibitions
- Books & Blooms community reading event
- Labor Day Art Sale
- Adult programming and community gatherings
📍 Nearby Libraries in Litchfield County, CT
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in CORNWALL · Browse all Connecticut libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Cornwall Library founded, and how did it start?
The Cornwall Library Association was founded on October 2, 1869, in the study of Rev. E.C. Sanford. Its founders believed that 'a well selected Library in this Town, would promote a desire for useful Knowledge and Mental and Moral Cultivation.' It operated as a subscription library until 1945, when it transitioned to a fully free public library open to all.
What happened to the 1908 Calhoun stone building, and where is the library now?
The library occupied John E. Calhoun's donated stone building — constructed for $25,000 — from 1908 until 2002, nearly a century. In 2002 the library opened its current purpose-built facility on adjacent land, featuring separate wings for children's services and community meetings. The current collection exceeds 28,000 items.
Is the Cornwall Library open on weekends and evenings?
Yes. The library is open Wednesday evening until 7 p.m. — the latest weekday. It is also open Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m.–3 p.m. The library is closed on Monday only.
Can I borrow materials from other Connecticut libraries using my Cornwall Library card?
Yes. The Cornwall Library is part of the Autographics consortium, which connects it to other Connecticut public libraries for interlibrary loan. You can request items held at other member libraries and pick them up at Cornwall.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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