Announcements

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day Closing

The Farmington Libraries will be closed Monday, October 9.

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 "All Ages" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

All Day 10/2 - 10/28
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Age Group: All Ages, Adults, Teens, Children
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:
Celebrate the season with a spooky scavenger hunt for the whole family! Stop by the Barney Library and pick up Halloween Scavenger Hunt directions. Participate as an individual or as a team, take photos of the people, places and things in the list an...
This event is in the "Children" group.

Movers and Groovers Dance Party

10:00am - 10:45am
Barney Library
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Music, Dance, & Film, Series for Little Ones
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 Gallery upstairs at the Barney. This is a drop in program. ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Taylor's Friendship Bracelet Making!

2:00pm - 4:00pm
Barney Library
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Barney Library
Room: Hoppin Gallery
Age Group: Teens, Children
Program Type: Special Event
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Going to the movies this weekend?  Come make some friendship bracelets to take and trade or trade on the spot with your friends! We will listen to a Swiftie playlist while we do some bracelet making! Please register, supplies are limited! ...
This event is in the "Children" group.

We Play Wednesday

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

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.