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

Isaac Lorton, Community Engagement Coordinator

Julia Greider, Technical Services Librarian

Patti Files Rodriguez, Youth Services Assistant

(Currently vacant) Circulation & Volunteer Coordinator

Phyllis Whitney, Circulation Assistant

Holiday Observances

Norwich Public Library is closed to observe the following holidays:

New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 20, 2025

Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 17, 2025

Memorial Day – Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth – Thursday, June 19, 2025

Independence Day – Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day – Monday, September 1, 2025

Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Monday, October 13, 2025

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

Veterans Day – Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Day before Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 26 the library will close at 4 PM

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 27, 2025

Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 28, 2025

Christmas Eve – Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25, 2025

New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31 the library will close at 3 PM

Policies

Library Closures

There are times (particularly in the winter) when the library may close. Examples include local school closings or hazardous driving conditions relating to weather, power outages, flooding, downed trees, and mandated closures (world and regional disasters). When we must close, we do our utmost to alert the community as soon as possible by posting information on our website, social media outlets, and the Norwich Listserv. However, much depends upon our staff’s access to both the internet and electricity. We all live in rural areas! We appreciate your understanding.

Partial-Day Closures

If an emergency event such as increasing inclement weather or a power outage occurs, the library may need to close early. For parents & caregivers of children who use the library – please make sure they have your contact information.

Circulation Policies

Collection Development Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Library Code of Conduct

Child Safety Policy

Trustees

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

President, Molly Gentine

Vice President, Emily Myers

Treasurer, Tricia Spellman

Secretary, Marisa Lorenzo

Richard Adams

Jennifer Ankner-Edelstein

Marc Aquila

Julia Lau

Jon Protas

Todd Thompson

Megan Tompkins

Christina Aquila (Ex officio, Friends of NPL President)

Strategic Plan

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