Public Library of Brookline
🏢 Brookline Public Library System · Brookline, Massachusetts
Public Library of Brookline
The Public Library of Brookline — founded in 1857 in the first Massachusetts town to tax itself for a free public library — occupies a 1910 Georgian Revival building by architect R. Clipston Sturgis, with an oak-paneled reading room, sterling-silver chandeliers, and a makerspace added during a landmark 2003 renovation.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 361 WASHINGTON ST., BROOKLINE, MA 02445
Phone: +1-617-730-2370
Website: brooklinelibrary.org
Plus Code: 87JC8VMH+RC (BROOKLINE, MA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Public Library of Brookline
The Public Library of Brookline was established by a March 30, 1857 town-meeting vote, making it the first public library in Massachusetts organized under the state's landmark 1851 library legislation — predating many better-known New England libraries by years. The current Brookline Village building, dedicated November 17, 1910, was designed by R. Clipston Sturgis in handsome Georgian Revival red brick; it features an oak-paneled reading room with ceiling-high windows and sterling silver chandeliers, and a named Gardner Hall (Art and Music Room) honoring benefactor John L. Gardner. A 2003 expansion and renovation — which earned a Preservation Award — added over 18,000 square feet while preserving the original 1910 footprint. The system operates two additional branches (Coolidge Corner and Putterham/Chestnut Hill) and participates in the Minuteman Library Network, giving cardholders access to collections at more than 40 area libraries. The library also maintains the Brookline Historical Collection, established in 1894, with photographs and archival materials documenting town history.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1857 — first public library in Massachusetts under the state's 1851 library law
- 1910 Georgian Revival landmark by R. Clipston Sturgis — oak-paneled reading room with sterling-silver chandeliers
- ideaSPACE makerspace with creative and digital production equipment
- Museum & Recreation Passes — borrow free or discounted passes to local attractions
- World Language Center and English Language Learning programs for multilingual patrons
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Brookline library card unlocks a rich suite of digital tools for reading, research, and creativity:
📚 Services
- Museum & Recreation Passes (reserve free or discounted passes to local attractions)
- ideaSPACE makerspace (digital production equipment)
- Library of Things lending collection
- Study and meeting rooms
- Computer & internet access (free)
- Printing, copying & scanning
- World Language Center
- English Language Learning programs
- Local history & Brookline Historical Collection (from 1894)
- Personalized reading recommendations
🎸 Programs
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten early literacy program
- Story time for toddlers and young children
- Book discussion groups for adults
- Teen programs and STEAM activities
- Poetry series and author talks
- Group visit programs for schools and educators
📍 Nearby Libraries in Greater Boston
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BROOKLINE · Browse all Massachusetts libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Brookline Village library building constructed, and who designed it?
The main library at 361 Washington Street was dedicated on November 17, 1910. It was designed by architect R. Clipston Sturgis in a Georgian Revival style featuring red brick, an oak-paneled reading room, and sterling-silver chandeliers. A major expansion in 2003 added over 18,000 square feet and earned a Preservation Award.
How do I reserve a museum pass at the Brookline Public Library?
The library offers Museum & Recreation Passes that patrons can reserve online through the library's website. Passes provide free or discounted admission to area cultural institutions and recreation sites. Visit brooklinelibrary.org to see which passes are currently available and to book your reservation.
Does the library have a makerspace?
Yes. The ideaSPACE at the Brookline Village branch is the library's makerspace, offering access to creative and digital production tools. Check the library website for current equipment, hours, and any required orientation sessions.
Can I borrow from other Massachusetts libraries with my Brookline card?
Yes. The Public Library of Brookline is a member of the Minuteman Library Network, which includes more than 40 public and academic libraries in greater Boston. Your Brookline card gives you borrowing privileges across the entire network — and digital titles are shared through the statewide Massachusetts eBook Project via Libby.
🎨 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 lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things 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.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 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 September 2026.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.