Barney Library

Location Details

Address:
71 Main St.
Farmington, CT 06032

Phone:
860-673-6791

Hours

Monday - Thursday & Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Summer Saturdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Movie Matinee @ the Barney

2:30pm - 4:30pm
Adults
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Film Screenings
Event Details:

Join us at the Barney Library for a special showing of A Haunting in Venice (2023, rated PG-13). 

Feel free to bring a blanket or pillow to sit on, water to drink, and light snacks to enjoy.

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Infant/Toddler" group.
This event is in the "Preschool" group.

Movers and Groovers

10:00am - 10:45am
Children, Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Children, Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Let’s move and groove together in the Library! We will read a fun book and do some dancing. We will meet in the Hoppin Gallery upstairs at the Barney. This is a drop in program.

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Novel Ideas

1:15pm - 2:00pm
Adults
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Discussion Groups
Join us for a lively discussion on the last Tuesday of the month at our new time, 2:15 PM. Pick up a copy of the current book at the Barney Library service desk. All are welcome, no registration required!
This event is in the "Children" group.

We Play Wednesday

9:30am - 11:00am
Children
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Celebrations
Event Details:

Come play at Barney Library. Time for caregivers and children to form friendships! Parents can chat while children play in the Gallery turned playroom! Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time. No registration required. 

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Infant/Toddler" group.
This event is in the "Preschool" group.

Halloween Dance Party @ the Barney

10:00am - 11:00am
Children, Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Barney Library
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Children, Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Program Type: Celebrations
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

Join us at the Barney Library for a Halloween Dance Party! Children ages 1 to 4 are invited to come in costume to enjoy a fabulous Halloween celebration featuring dancing and a simple craft. 

New Books at Barney

Barney Library Header

History

D. Newton Barney gave The Village Library to the people of Farmington, as a memorial to Sarah Brandegee Barney, his mother. A portrait of D. Newton Barney, by Rogert Brandegee, can be viewed in the main reading room along with Sarah Brandegee Barney and other notable Farmingtonians. The building was designed in the Greek revival style by Stephen Brainerd Lawrence in 1917. A plaque in memory of Mr. Lawrence is located in the library’s front hall.

The Village Library remained the principal town Library until the Farmington Library was commissioned in 1983. This new modern 52,000 square foot building consolidated Farmington and Unionville libraries into one Farmington Library.

The Village library was renovated three times: The Children’s wing in 1959 and again, in 1983, after being closed a year, the library reopened as the renovated Village Branch Library. In 1999, the Village Library was renamed, Barney Library, in thanksgiving to William and Harriet Barney Lidgerwood and the Barney Family for their largesse. They have served Farmington quietly, effectively and with great generosity giving of their time, talent and treasure to support and sustain that which makes Farmington unique. The latest modifications were affected between 2008 and 2009 and reopened as Barney Library on December 1, 2009. The following lists the people who together supported the renovations and additions project with $1,000,000, which in conjunction with a $1,000,000 State Grant and $1,000,000 Town referendum provided for the magnificent building and destination place standing at 71 Main Street.