Gladys E. Kelly Public Library
🏢 C/W MARS · Webster, Massachusetts
Gladys E. Kelly Public Library
Webster's public library opened a stunning new two-story home in September 2018, replacing the beloved 1921 Chester C. Corbin building that had stood on the same downtown site for nearly a century. The new 21,371-square-foot building was named the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library in honor of a $1-million gift from the Kelly family, and features an expanded children's room, a dedicated teen room packed with activity every day, and an interactive "magic book" wall that brings Webster's history to life.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–1pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2 Lake Street, Webster, MA 01570
Phone: (508) 949-3880
Website: gladyskellylibrary.org
Plus Code: 87JC24XC+W4 (Webster, MA)
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📖 About Gladys E. Kelly Public Library
The Gladys E. Kelly Public Library is the public library of Webster, a Worcester County town of about 17,000 residents in south-central Massachusetts. The library's history stretches back to the original Chester C. Corbin Public Library, a 7,400-square-foot building designed by noted library architect Edward Tilton and opened in 1921 on the same Lake Street site. Named for Chester C. Corbin, an accomplished local businessman who founded it, the old library served Webster for nearly a century before a $11.1-million construction project — funded in part by a $7.57-million Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners grant and a $1-million donation from the family of Gladys E. Kelly, an avid reader — replaced it with a 21,371-square-foot modern facility dedicated in September 2018. Designed by Oudens Ello Architects for energy efficiency, the new library features generous browsing and collection space, an expanded children's room, a teen room described by the director as "packed every day," and a physio-digital interactive installation — the "magic book" wall — designed by Trivium Interactive that cycles through five chapters of Webster's history. The library belongs to the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (C/W MARS) consortium, sharing a catalog with dozens of Massachusetts libraries.
⭐ What makes this library special
- New two-story building opened September 2018 — $11.1 million project replacing the 1921 Chester C. Corbin building on the same Lake Street site
- Named for Gladys E. Kelly, whose family donated $1 million; the building is energy-efficient and designed by Oudens Ello Architects
- Interactive "magic book" wall (Trivium Interactive) cycles through five chapters of Webster's history — a unique cultural installation
- Dedicated teen room described by staff as "packed every day" — the only free teen-only space in Webster
- Museum and recreation passes available for cultural attractions in the Worcester County region
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Webster cardholders can stream, download and learn for free through the library's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Museum and recreation passes — reserve passes to Worcester Art Museum and other cultural venues
- Meeting room and study room reservations
- Printing, fax and copying services
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi and technology assistance (one-on-one tech help sessions)
- Interlibrary loan through C/W MARS consortium
- English language learning resources
- Co-working spaces
- Book discussion groups and reader's advisory
🎸 Programs
- Toddler Storytime and Tiny Groovers (music & movement for young children)
- Creators Club for library card holders
- Kim the LEGO Lady
- Library for All: crafts and inclusive programming
- Teen programs including Puzz Fest and Snack Club
- Grief Support Group
- Business and tech workshops (e.g., "Grow Your Local Business in the Era of AI")
- Yoga and wellness (OmPractice online membership)
- Summer reading program and Friends of the Library events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Worcester County, MA
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Webster · Browse all Massachusetts libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Chester C. Corbin Public Library in Webster?
The original Chester C. Corbin Public Library — a 7,400-square-foot building designed by renowned library architect Edward Tilton and opened in 1921 — was demolished to make way for a new, larger library on the same Lake Street site. The $11.1-million replacement, dedicated September 29, 2018, was named the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library to honor Gladys Kelly, whose family donated $1 million to the project.
Why is there an interactive "magic book" wall in the library?
As the new library was being built, the Friends of the Library and staff worked with design firm Trivium Interactive to create a physio-digital installation that pays homage to the library's founder, Chester C. Corbin. The "magic book" wall lets visitors explore Webster's past through five animated chapters in the town's history, each with a series of images and animations that bring that era to life.
Does the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library offer museum passes?
Yes. The library offers museum and recreation passes that cardholders can reserve online or in person. Passes provide free or discounted admission to cultural and recreational venues in the region, including the Worcester Art Museum. Visit the library's website at gladyskellylibrary.org for the current list of available passes and to make a reservation.
What consortium does the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library belong to?
The library is a member of C/W MARS — the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing consortium. This means your Webster library card gives you access to a shared catalog covering dozens of libraries across central and western Massachusetts, plus the statewide Libby/OverDrive digital collection and interlibrary loan services.
🎨 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 study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.