Forbes Library celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2019. The library building was completed in 1893 and then took a full year to open while the newly hired director, Charles Ammi Cutter, went to Europe to assemble a collection in time for its opening in October of 1894.
During this anniversary year Forbes Library held special events and presented exhibits online and in the gallery about the library’s history. The library also published histories about prominent people and events connected to Forbes Library, along with great photos and personal stories.
The theme for our anniversary year was “Working for the Common Good”, inspired by the book, “The Common Good,” by Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. The book explores a concept that dates back to ancient Greek philosophy and was a guide in the founding principles of our nation. The Common Good refers to what is shared by a given community for the benefit of all members, as well as what is achieved through active participation in a society through public service or collective action. Public libraries are an embodiment of this principle and a cornerstone in our democracy.
Forbes Library was founded through a bequest by Judge Charles E. Forbes who wrote in his will, “it has been my aim to place within reach of the inhabitants of a town, in which I have lived long and pleasantly, the means of learning, if they are disposed to learn…” Forbes Library is one of our community’s collectively held resources that enriches individual lives as well as the community at large through its collections and services. The gorgeous and iconic building itself is a collectively held resource that welcomes everyone in our community to enter through its doors and supports people to leave richer in knowledge and more closely connected to others.
One Paragraph in the Will of Judge Forbes
Forbes Library turns page on first 125 years
Northampton’s Forbes Library turns page on first 125 years – Springfield Republican/MassLive, February 24, 2019
Forbes Library Timeline
An overview of Forbes Library’s 125 years.
Online exhibits
In celebration of Forbes Library’s 125th anniversary year, a variety of images and objects from the Library’s local history collections were featured in the Hosmer Gallery. These monthly displays can be seen in our online Images From the Archives.
Our Community Sing 2018
We kicked off our 125th year with Our Community Sing on September 23, 2018. This year was the 100th anniversary of the community sings in the summer of 1918 when, as WWI was drawing to a close, thousands gathered on the Forbes Library lawn to sing and socialize. To honor the anniversary, the community was invited to gather on the lawn to raise spirits, support peaceful resolutions of conflicts, and confirm our sense of community by singing together.
