New Manchester Public Library Opens: Take a Visual Tour

MANCHESTER, CT — Monday's grand opening of the new Manchester Public Library was far from a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony and photo op for the politicians.

It was a no-holds-barred declaration by local, state and national leaders that a physical library has value in the electronic age.

The new 75,000-square-foot library is located at 1041 Main St. and replaces the aging Mary Cheney Library as the town's main library. It carries a price tag of about $50 million. In addition to $39 million in town bonding, state and federal aid includes $2.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, $5 million from the federal Treasury Capital Projects Fund and $3.5 million from the state's Capital Improvement Fund.

It has three floors and has been described as posh but very functional. The design combines traditional, main street architecture with modern features.

It is considered the first net-zero library in Connecticut.

"I was born and raised in Manchester, moved away, then moved back and I have a feeling of nostalgia today," Manchester Town Manager Steve Stephanou said in his greeting. He said, despite the memories growing up with the Cheney library, "unfortunately, we have outgrown it."

In what could be his most impassioned speech — and maybe his best — ever, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran took those in the packed lower level back to more than a dozen yeas ago, when a failed referendum stalled the plans for a new library.

"I am confident the people of Manchester will come around," he said at the time.

On Monday, he wasn't shy about proclaiming the fulfillment of that prophecy after the plan lost.

"To the nay-sayers ... Well, come here and get lost (in the vastness)," he said.

The question of why a large, physical library is needed came to a head at the ceremony and officials had a clear message for the Facebook linguists and those who think staring at a phone is the end-all.

"The children still need community literacy," Moran said. "Those who do not have access to the internet can do it right here. Adults can work on resumes here. We can teach seniors about the digital world here. That's why. We've opened doors so that those who cannot afford the resources can have them right here."

Added Gov. Ned Lamont, "You can surf the net. You can run an algorithm. You can order it on Amazon. But you can also talk to a librarian. "

Added U.S. Rep. John Larson, "A library is a living space of learning."

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz has been one of the biggest supporters of the project since it was a big hole in April 2025. After all, her mom, Shirley Raissi Bysiewicz, was the first law library director at the University of Connecticut School of Law and managed the law library from 1956 to 1989 while simultaneously teaching as a professor.

"I am what I am today because of libraries," she said. Libraries are the heart and soul of the community."

Here a visual tour of the new Manchester Library: