ABOUT NPL

Mission Statement

The Norwich Public Library serves as a community center for the town providing traditional and innovative resources for all patrons and offering library experiences that support education, imagination, and community engagement.

Staff

Lucinda Walker, Director

Lisa Milchman, Assistant Director

Erin Davison, Youth Services Librarian

Erin McNulty, Community Engagement Coordinator

Julia Greider, Technical Services Librarian

Sydney Smith, Circulation & Volunteer Coordinator

Nitzah Winter, Youth Services Assistant

Holiday Observances

Norwich Public Library is closed to observe the following holidays:

New Year’s Day (observed) – Monday, January 2, 2023

Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 16, 2023

President’s Day – Monday, February 20, 2023

Memorial Day – Monday, May 29, 2023

Juneteenth – Monday, June 19, 2023

Independence Day – Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Labor Day – Monday, September 4, 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Monday, October 9, 2023

Halloween – Tuesday, Oct. 31 the library will close at 3 PM

Veteran’s Day – Friday, November 10, 2023

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 23, 2023

Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 24, 2023

Christmas Eve (observed) – Saturday, December 23, 2023

Christmas Day – Monday, December 25, 2023

Policies

Circulation Policies

Collection Development Policy

Library Code of Conduct

Child Safety Policy

Trustees

Board meetings are held at 7 PM the fourth Monday of every month (except August and December) in the Library’s Community Room. The meetings are open to the public.

President, Mark Lilienthal

Vice President, Molly Gentine

Treasurer, Leslie Rimmer

Secretary, Marisa Lorenzo

Richard Adams

Marc Aquila

Paul Glover

Margorie Menza

Emily Myers

Tricia Spellman

Todd Thompson

Margo Nutt (Ex officio, Friends of NPL President)

Strategic Plan

See a Summary of the 2016 plan
Full 2016 document: NPL Strategic Plan
The 2022 Strategic Plan

History

The Norwich Public Library Association was organized by a handful of dedicated Norwich citizens on December 14, 1880. The initial collection of 256 volumes was housed in the Congregational Church Vestry. By 1888 the collection had grown to 1000 volumes and was moved to the Norwich Academy building. Fire destroyed the Academy building in 1897 and 20% of the collection was lost. The remaining books were moved to the home of James Hutchinson on Main Street while plans were developed for a permanent home for the collection. Thomas & Lizzie Hazen donated the lot.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new library was held on September 11, 1901 and the building dedicated in 1902. Fees and donations sustained the Library until the Town of Norwich offered its support of $350 in 1922 with an annual grant. In 1971, the Library received a gift of $1,000 from the Town, which allowed library hours to be expanded to two days per week and to increase the volumes to over 6,000. In 1975, the Bicentennial Wing of the Library was dedicated and built, thanks to federal assistance, local gifts, and pledges totaling over $65,000.

The most recent renovation, completed in July 1999, more than doubled the square footage. The Library was automated in 2000. Presently, we are open five to six days a week for a total of 44.5 hours. The Library maintains a collection of over 35,000 volumes, including books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, and an expanding collection of digital resources. With over 3500 registered borrowers, we offer a Community Room meeting space for local groups, exhibit space for artists, Internet access, and free wireless access.

Join us as we build upon a tradition of excellent service and a first-rate collection while meeting the challenges and promises of the future.

We look forward to seeing you at the Library!

With appreciation to Jean Lawe