A Library On Main Street — A Tale Of Progressive Thinking And Literacy In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — A new chapter in Manchester began Monday with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art library on Main Street.

The new library replaces the aging Mary Cheney library, a name connected with a long history of access to books and materials in the South End dating back two decades before the Civil War.

So how did it all start?

According to library records, in 1840, Cheney Brothers mill employees hired a "book reader" to read aloud during the work day in an effort to break up monotony. One account said "The company found that the plan had its benefits as the women did more and better work in the various departments."

A decade later, the employees asked for an in-house book collection. The request was granted and the books were stored in an office. After the Civil War, the collection was moved to the Cheney Hall basement.

In 1871, a library was established.

In 1937, after being housed in various places (and a a 1913 fire), the South Manchester Free Public Library is renamed the Mary Cheney Library and moves into a building near Center Park on Main Street.

The new library is located just down the hill on Main Street.

It is all documented in a display at the new library.

Take a visual tour of the new library here.