This page was updated Nov. 2023.
The Wellesley Free Library (WFL) has three locations:
- The main library, located at 530 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
- The Fells Branch, located at 308 Weston Road, Wellesley, MA 02482
- The Wellesley Hills Branch, located at 210 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
The Main Library — 530 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
The 84,000 square feet of the main library includes the first and second floors, as well as the underground parking garage and storage space in the basement. Out of a population of 28,747 as counted during the 2020 US Census, 20,464 Wellesley residents have a library card.
There are 158,818 books in the Library’s collection; 17,577 DVDs; 14,256 music CDs and audio books; 97,737 eBooks and downloadable audio books. The Library subscribes to 122 magazines and 33 locally owned databases.
The Fells Branch Library — 308 Weston Road, Wellesley, MA 02482
The Fell Branch structure was built in 1858 as a one-room school house for 30 students and teacher Caroline Almeda Hartwell. It is Wellesley’s oldest public building. After Hardy School opened in 1922, the building was repurposed a year later as a library, with the fundraising help of the Fells Improvement Society. In 2005 the branch closed down due to budgetary constraints. Private donations allowed it to reopen in 2008. The Fells branch currently is privately funded.
In 2018, Fells underwent a major renovation. This latest re-thinking of the space came about with financial help from the Wellesley Free Library Foundation; grants from the Fund for Wellesley; grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services; and private donors. These groups and individuals kicked in the approximately $80k it took to create a space geared toward children 0 – 6 and their caretakers. The increased focus on a young clientele came about as a result of the library’s usage statistics. “All the programs for the young children were off the charts, such as Book Babies,” WFL Assistant Director Elise MacLennan said. “We wanted to make it even more welcoming for caretakers and parents. That’s the age group the books are geared toward. It’s not the place to look for books for older kids, but the older siblings are most definitely welcome, of course.”
In addition to books and materials for young children, there are best sellers and other popular adult books, and any holds can be sent to Fells for pickup.
The Wellesley Hills Branch Library — 210 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
The Wellesley Hills branch opened in 1928 and the fieldstone building and has served only as a library. It was listed in 2007 on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2005 the branch closed down due to budgetary constraints. Private donations allowed it to reopen in 2008. The branch currently is supported through a combination of mostly taxpayer dollars, as well as private funding.
