Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
🏢 Town of Berlin · Berlin, Connecticut
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
Rooted in an 1829 library society and named for the Peck family whose generosity built Berlin's first dedicated library in 1902, Berlin-Peck Memorial Library serves Kensington from a spacious 21,655-square-foot building with free museum passes, a Local History Room, 3D printing, and 107,000+ items.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 234 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037
Phone: (860) 828-7125
Website: berlinpeck.org
Plus Code: 87H9J6GG+X6 (Berlin, CT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
Berlin-Peck Memorial Library has been the intellectual home of Berlin, Connecticut since the original library society was formed in 1829 — making it one of the oldest public library traditions in Hartford County. The library takes its name from the Peck family: in 1900, Berlin resident Susan A. Peck campaigned tirelessly for a purpose-built library and persuaded her cousin Henry Hart Peck to donate the funds for a new building. The resulting Peck Memorial Library was dedicated on November 5, 1902, in a 1,680-square-foot building with 1,120 books. On October 2, 1989, a new 21,655-square-foot facility opened at 234 Kensington Road in the Kensington section of Berlin, with a full basement reserved for future expansion. Today it serves more than 20,000 residents of Berlin — including the villages of East Berlin and Kensington — holding over 107,000 items and circulating nearly 200,000 per year. The David and Ann Borthwick Local History Room preserves town histories of Berlin, East Berlin, and Kensington for genealogists and local-history researchers.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1829 — one of Hartford County's oldest library traditions; the current name honors Henry Hart Peck, whose donation funded the 1902 Peck Memorial Library at Susan A. Peck's urging
- 21,655 sq ft building opened October 2, 1989, at 234 Kensington Road, with a full basement reserved for future expansion
- David and Ann Borthwick Local History Room: town histories of Berlin, East Berlin, and Kensington; staffed by the Town Historian (appointment recommended for research visits)
- Free museum and attraction passes sponsored by the Friends of the Library — up to 2 unique passes per family per month, bookable online via MuseumKey
- Member of Library Connection, Inc. (40+ CT libraries): shared Polaris catalog (June 2026) + OverDrive/Libby; also on FindIT CT statewide interlibrary loan
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Berlin cardholders access these digital resources free through Library Connection, Inc. and Connecticut state programs:
📚 Services
- Physical lending: books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, and other materials (107,000+ item collection)
- Museum and attraction passes — sponsored by Friends of the Library, reserved online via MuseumKey (up to 2 per family per month)
- David and Ann Borthwick Local History Room — Berlin, East Berlin, and Kensington town histories, genealogy books, in-library use only; Town Historian on staff
- 3D printing available to patrons as part of STEAM/Makerspace programming
- Library Connection shared Polaris catalog — search 40+ CT partner libraries and request items for Berlin pickup
- FindIT CT statewide interlibrary loan — access materials not held by any LCI library
- Free wireless internet access throughout the building
- Virtual library card for Connecticut residents via Library Connection consortium
- LSC online webinar programs (libraryc.org/berlinpeck)
🎸 Programs
- Baby Storytime — Tuesdays 10:30–11:00 AM (books, rhymes, songs for infants and caregivers)
- Little Waddlers Storytime — Wednesdays 10:30–11:00 AM (ages 2–3: stories, songs, yoga, fingerplays)
- Sensory Play & Learn — Thursdays 10:30–11:00 AM (infants/toddlers with caregivers)
- Story Sprouts Books & Fun — reads Connecticut Nutmeg Award nominees with snacks and activities
- STEAM Series — hands-on science and engineering challenges (school-age)
- Makerspace programs — crafts, 3D printing, and making (school-age)
- Summer Reading Program (all ages: separate tracks for adults, teens, and kids)
- Bad Art Night — adult creative social program
- Friends of the Library meetings — first Wednesday of each month, 6:30 PM
📍 Nearby Libraries in Hartford County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Berlin · Browse all Connecticut libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who were 'Berlin' and 'Peck' in the library's name?
'Berlin' simply refers to the town of Berlin, Connecticut. 'Peck' honors the family of Henry Hart Peck, whose donation funded Berlin's first purpose-built library in 1902. The donation came about because his cousin, local resident Susan A. Peck, campaigned from 1900 onward and persuaded Henry to contribute once a suitable site was secured. The resulting Peck Memorial Library was dedicated on November 5, 1902. When a larger building opened in 1989, the town preserved the Peck name in the new 'Berlin-Peck Memorial Library.'
How old is Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, and how has the building changed over time?
The library tradition in Berlin dates to 1829 — nearly 200 years old. The first dedicated building, the Peck Memorial Library at roughly 1,680 square feet, opened November 5, 1902, with 1,120 books. It served the community for nearly nine decades. On October 2, 1989, a modern 21,655-square-foot facility at 234 Kensington Road was dedicated, built with a full basement left unfinished for future expansion. At opening it held 58,669 items and logged 108,041 circulations its first year; the collection has since grown to more than 107,000 items.
What is the David and Ann Borthwick Local History Room, and how do I use it?
The Borthwick Local History Room is the library's dedicated archive for the history of Berlin and its villages — Berlin proper, East Berlin, and Kensington. It holds town histories, historical documents, and genealogy books for in-library use only (materials cannot be checked out). The room is staffed by Berlin's Town Historian and trained volunteers; researchers are encouraged to contact the library in advance to schedule time with the Town Historian. It is open to any member of the public.
Can I borrow books from other area libraries on my Berlin-Peck card?
Yes. Berlin-Peck is a member of Library Connection, Inc. (LCI), a consortium of more than 40 Connecticut public libraries sharing a single Polaris catalog (launched June 2026). With your Berlin-Peck card you can search all LCI partner holdings — including Southington, Bristol, New Britain, Meriden, and others — and have items sent to Berlin for pickup. Berlin-Peck also participates in FindIT CT, Connecticut's statewide interlibrary loan system, for materials not held by any LCI library.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
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