The Newton Free Library is celebrating its 150th anniversary as a public library this year, with a host of events and activities for all ages. Don’t miss out on the competition to design a new library card – submissions close June 20.

In 1875, the Newton Literary Association, an independent group that had run the Newton library since 1870, voted to transfer ownership to the town. The transfer happened in 1876, so 150th anniversary celebrations will continue through next year.

The library has grown a lot. In 1870, it had 7,084 volumes and an annual circulation of 37,000. Today, the library owns 571,829 items. In 2024, Newton was the busiest library in the Minuteman network, with  1.7 million items borrowed.

Last year, the most popular adult book was Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, the most popular teen book was Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama, and the most popular children’s book was Big Nate Game On! by Lincoln Pierce. One thing that’s stayed the same is that patrons can get books delivered to their home—but unlike in the 1870s, these books are no longer delivered by horse and buggy. (The library got rid of the horses in 1916).

One thing that has changed since 1875 is that today the library offers far more than just books.

“We’re proud of the array of resources we’re able to offer. We have a really impressive English language learning program. We’re able to do a good job in serving our community here,” said Lily Weitzman, manager of programs and communications. “We have a library of things that has all sorts of items that one might like to borrow.” The library of things has a large collection: one can borrow a rollator, a dulcimer, a Nintendo switch, a leaf blower, and many more items.

The ELL program offers both regular group classes and one-on-one tutoring. (And they’re always looking for more volunteers: learn more on their website).

Newtonians can also get passes to area museums and attractions. The library also has lots of events for all ages: arts and crafts, concerts, movie screenings, and more.

There are some fun upcoming events related to the 150th in June.

There will be two cookbook design days for kids on June 3 and June 17 at 4 p.m. for an anniversary cookbook that will be released in the fall. There will also be a kids’ dance event on June 26.

The literary walking tour co-sponsored by Historic Newton is already full, but they’re hoping to possibly be able to offer it again later in the summer. And don’t forget summer reading for both kids and adults starts in June.

The biggest events will be happening in November, so stay tuned for more details as the summer progresses. There’s also a list of 150 things to do at the library.

“We hope people will discover more than just the one thing they’ve been coming to do,” said Weitzman.

If you want to imagine you’re a library patron in 1875, you can. Many of the books that are actually from the 19th century are in-library-use only, like the 1875 copy of Henry David Thoreau’s Cape Cod, but not all of them, like the 1878 copy of classical poet Lucretius’ work in translation.

And there are plenty of more recent editions of works that 19th century readers would’ve enjoyed by authors like Henry James, George Eliot, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens.

There are also many 19th century local history books in the library’s special collections about subjects ranging from John Adams to the Salem Witch Trials. To see these books, visit the library website’s advanced search page and click optional filters; from there you can scroll down to select by publication date.