Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Wolcott Public Library to provide and promote open and equal access to the resources and services of the library in order to meet the informational, educational, and cultural needs of the community. The library seeks to encourage reading and the use of current technology for life-long learning and the enhancement of the individual’s quality of life. The library offers a welcoming public place for both community interaction and individual pursuits.
Library Staff
Matt Earls – Director
Meghan Morin – Children’s Librarian
Joanna Pfaff – Children’s Room Assistant Librarian
David Jayne – Technical Services
Allison Rozear – Digital Navigator
Daniel Perrier – Programming Coordinator
Library Assistants
Marcus Cinotti
Isabella Feest
Ryan McDonald
Elaine Nghiem
Learn more about:
Wolcott Public Library History
The Wolcott Town Library began in 1828 with a gift of 20 books from Dr. William Andrews Alcott, Superintendent of the Congregational Church School. The library was housed in the church building and supported by church funds. In 1839 when the church burned, all of the volumes were lost and for the next 20 years there was no town library.
In 1860, a new Congregational Church building was opened and a library was begun again in the entrance way of the new church, Preserve Carter gave $100 to start the library that year.
During the Centenary Celebration Meetings of the Wolcott Congregational Church which were held in September of 1873, a visitor, B.G. Northrup who was the Secretary of the State Board of Education, spoke of the importance of library facilities for the townspeople. At this meeting Amos Bronson Alcott, the philosopher, educator, and reformer, supported the idea of expanding the library. Mr. Alcott, who was a native of Wolcott, offered to donate the works of Concord authors who were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
When the Beecher Memorial Hall was completed in 1914 the library moved from the church to the new building. There the library remained until 1924.
Though the library was always a town library and was used by all the townspeople, its support and direction, until 1920, was given by the church with the help of many private donations.
In 1920 the town appropriated $100 for the project and in 1924 the library became a municipal project and was moved into the Wolcott Town Hall.
The library remained in a room in the Town Hall until 1957 when the renovation of Town Hall was begun. The library was moved into the basement of the town office building, also on the green, and 16 months later when the Town Hall was completed, the library moved upstairs and took over the entire building.
In 1970 the present library was opened at 469 Boundline Road. More than 1,000 Wolcott residents went to the town’s new library to see and hear it formally dedicated.
Alexander Nole, chairman of the building committee, said it was ” an impossible dream come true”, and Samuel L. Molod, associate state librarian and main speaker for the occasion, said that Wolcott recognizes its own rapid growth.
“I think your building committee has a lot of guts to say the time has come to stop thinking of yourselves as a very small town. ” he said.
First Selectman Edward J. Bagley, who cut the ribbon to open the new building, said it represents “a momentous step forward in the life of the town of Wolcott.” He said there had been controversy about the design of the building but he believed it turned out to be a “forward looking structure” that reflected the attitude of the townspeople.
Alex Nole
Bio provided by the Friends of the Library
Alessandro Virgilio Forunato Nole was born September 12, 1917 in Waterbury, CT the son of Italian
immigrants.
He served in World War II in the Army Air Corps as an office clerk as well as a chaplain.
Alex was a member of the 446 th Bomb Group stationed in England from 1943-45. In 1952 Alex and his
wife Julia moved to Wolcott where he became involved in his community.
He was instrumental in having St. Pius X built and served as President of the Church Council and was a member of the Knights of
Columbus. Once that job was completed, he turned his attention to the Wolcott Library and served as
the building chairperson.
The Wolcott Library as it exists today was opened in 1970 and Alex was very
proud of “The Impossible Dream” he created. He continued with his love for this library, serving on the
renovation committee in 2006 by even going up on the roof to inspect for leaks. Alex continued to serve
on the Library Board for many years and was instrumental in the formation of the Friends Group. He
was present for most meetings well into his 90’s and sat on the Executive Board to advise us with his
wealth of knowledge.
He was a devoted family man working full time in production planning management at Uniroyal, Inc. for his entire career.
We thank Alex Nole for all he has done for the Wolcott Community but especially in giving birth to the Wolcott Library. We are proud to call the children’s room the Alex V. Nole Room to keep his memory alive.
Wolcott Library History Presentation
Many thanks to Florance Goodman and the Wolcott Historical Society for these
Wolcott Library History items:
The Book Journey A History Of The Town Library In Wolcott, Connecticut From 1828 to 2015
History of Wolcott Public Library Power Point Presentation
History of Wolcott Coloring Book
Wolcott History
Wolcott, Connecticut, originally known as Farmingbury, was founded in 1796. The town is named after Governor Wolcott, who cast the deciding vote in favor of the town’s incorporation. Wolcott is a residential community with a land area of 21.6 square miles, a population over 16,500 and is located in New Haven County.
A prominent figure in the history of Wolcott is Amos Bronson Alcott, father of Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women). Amos was an educator, philosopher and poet.