Woburn Public Library
🏢 Minuteman Library Network · Woburn, Massachusetts
Woburn Public Library
The Woburn Public Library at 45 Pleasant Street is the first library ever designed by Henry Hobson Richardson — completed in 1879, it is a National Historic Landmark and widely considered the prototype for Richardson's celebrated library architecture. Today the library serves a city of 40,000 with evening hours until 9 p.m. four nights a week, a free notary service, museum passes, a Maker Space, and a digital archive of Woburn history.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–9pm |
| Thursday | 9am–9pm |
| Friday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 45 Pleasant Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 933-0148
Website: woburnpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 87JCFRHW+P5 (Woburn, MA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Woburn Public Library
The Woburn Public Library was founded in 1856, making it one of the older public libraries in Middlesex County. When the city needed a permanent home for its collection, it commissioned Henry Hobson Richardson — then at the start of his career — to design a purpose-built library. Richardson's Woburn Public Library (1879) was the first library building he ever designed and became the template for his subsequent celebrated library commissions at North Easton, Quincy, and Malden. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. Operated today as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the library serves over 40,000 Woburn residents with a full program roster including ESL/citizenship classes, a Maker Space with fabrication equipment, a Library of Things, homebound delivery, and a free notary service. The digital archives and history collections document the city's industrial heritage, and the library belongs to the Minuteman Library Network.
⭐ What makes this library special
- First library ever designed by architect H. H. Richardson — completed 1879, National Historic Landmark
- The Woburn building is widely regarded as the prototype for Richardson's celebrated series of New England library commissions
- Founded in 1856 as one of Middlesex County's oldest public libraries
- Free notary service and Museum passes available to library cardholders
- Maker Space, Library of Things, homebound delivery, and ESL/citizenship programming
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Woburn cardholders access the full Minuteman digital collection and Massachusetts statewide resources free of charge:
📚 Services
- Free notary service (document notarization for cardholders)
- Museum passes for Greater Boston cultural institutions
- Maker Space with fabrication tools and technology equipment
- Library of Things lending collection
- Public computers, printing, copying & free Wi-Fi
- Study and meeting room reservations
- Homebound delivery for eligible patrons
- ESL and citizenship preparation programs
- Digital archives and local history collections
- Interlibrary loan through the Minuteman Library Network
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Teen programs and events
- Adult book clubs and reading groups
- ESL and citizenship classes
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Author talks and community events
- Friends of the Woburn Public Library events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Middlesex County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Woburn · Browse all Massachusetts libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Woburn Public Library a National Historic Landmark?
The Woburn Public Library, completed in 1879, was the first library ever designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardson went on to design several more celebrated New England libraries — in North Easton, Quincy, and Malden — but the Woburn building is recognized as his prototype for the type. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in recognition of its architectural significance, making it one of the few Massachusetts public libraries to hold that federal designation.
Does the Woburn Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The Woburn Public Library provides a free notary service to library cardholders. Contact the library at (781) 933-0148 or visit woburnpubliclibrary.org to confirm current availability and to schedule an appointment.
What is the Woburn Public Library's Maker Space?
The Maker Space gives cardholders access to fabrication tools and technology equipment for hands-on creative and educational projects. It is part of the library's broader Library of Things and digital-resources program. Check the library website or call (781) 933-0148 for current Maker Space hours and equipment availability.
How old is the Woburn Public Library, and when did it move to Pleasant Street?
The Woburn Public Library was founded in 1856. It moved into its current home at 45 Pleasant Street in 1879, when the H. H. Richardson-designed building was completed. The institution has served the Woburn community from that address for over 145 years.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services 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.
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