History of the Derry Public Library:
The Derry Public Library opened on August 10, 1905 when Honorable R. W. Pillsbury donated $1000 to the town. The town appropriated an additional $500 to furnish rooms in the Adams Memorial Building to start a library. Reverend W. E. Gaskin was appointed the first librarian.
In 1926 Henry F. MacGregor's will instructed his widow to purchase land and build a new library. The library was constructed on the site of the former Boyd home and formally dedicated on January 14, 1927. A stained glass window depicting the MacGregor coat of arms was installed in the rear wall of the new building as a memorial to Henry.
In 1977, the Board of Library Trustees obtained a federal grant of $25,000 to finish the basement of the library for a children's room. As the population of Derry grew, so did the need for expanding the library.
In 1989, Paul Collette, Derry's first mayor, became the driving force behind getting the appropriate funds for the 15,000 square foot library expansion. The new Derry Public Library opened March 8, 1990 with a total area of 22,771 square feet. Since then the library's collection has nearly tripled.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Derry Public Library is to enrich our patrons’ lives by providing access to diverse, authoritative, high quality materials, programs and services in a helpful and welcoming manner.
Vision Statement
We envision Derry Public Library as a community resource that promotes the free flow of information to encourage lifelong learning, promote democratic values, civic engagement, and the appreciation of the breadth and diversity of history, wisdom and culture.
