Levi Heywood Memorial Library's current location of 55 West Lynde Street is the successful result of the Building for the Future campaign which yielded generous public donations. These donations, along with state and federal government grants, and the donation of land by the City of Gardner, made it possible for us to move to our beautiful newly built facility in October of 2004.
Gardner's Public Library was housed on City Hall Avenue from 1978 until we moved to our new location. Maintenance problems and lack of space initiated a need for a new location by the end of the century.
The City Hall Avenue location was the first time the Library was unified under one roof since the Library opened its doors at its Pearl Street location (now the Gardner Museum) on February 4, 1886. (In the early 1900s branches were located at various locations around the City.) The Pearl Street location was Gardner's first free public library and the newly constructed building was the result of a determined effort by the Reverend Lawrence Phelps and the generosity of the children of Levi Heywood, Calvin Heywood and Helen R. Greenwood and her husband Alvin M. Greenwood.
*For a complete Library History which was written for the 125th anniversary of the Library, please visit the Local History Room. See Local History tab for the hours that the room is available.
Contact US
Library Phone: 978-632-5298
55 West Lynde Street, Gardner Ma 01440
Staff Contacts:
- Kathleen Leslie- Library Director
- Tammy Caissie- Assistant Library Director
- MaryAnn McGee- Head of Children's Services
- Gina Verrelli- Inter-Library Loan/Reference Librarian
- Pamela Meitzler- Local History Librarian
Have a question? Need assistance using library resources? Ask a librarian! Our reference and circulation staff will assist you in using the Library’s resources to your fullest advantage. You can contact them in two convenient ways:
- By phone 978-632-5298 or
- In person (Reference Department located on second floor of the Library)
Please note that we do not take reference questions or requests via e-mail.
Hours of Operation
Hours:
- Monday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Wednesday - 10:00am - 7:00pm
- Thursday - 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Friday - 9:00am - 1:00pm
- Saturday - 9:00am - 1:00pm*
For Local History Room hours click here.
*The Library is closed on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
2012 Holiday Schedule:
Monday January 2nd - Closed for New Year's Day
Monday January 16th - Closed for Martin Luther King Day
Monday February 20th - Closed for President's Day
Monday April 16th - Closed for Patriot's Day
Wednesday July 4th - Closed for Independence Day
Monday September 3rd - Closed for Labor Day
Monday October 8th - Closed for Columbus Day
Monday November 12th - Closed for Veteran's Day
Thursday November 22nd and Friday November 23rd- Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday December 24th and Tuesday December 25th- Closed for the Christmas Holiday
Directions/Parking Info
The Library is located on the corner of West Lynde Street and Pine Street in downtown Gardner.
The official mailing address is 55 West Lynde Street, Gardner Ma 01440.
To get to the Library from the East: Take Route 2 West. Gardner is approximately 15 miles West of Fitchburg. Take exit 22 (Baldwinville, Hubbardston) and bear right under the railroad bridge after leaving the exit ramp. Follow Rt. 68 (Main Street) toward Gardner center, past Willow Street and past City Hall Avenue. At this point you will need to be in the right hand lane. Take the first right after City Hall Avenue----Priscilla’s Candies is at this corner. After making the turn you will see the Library ahead of you on the right.
To get to the Library from the West: Take Route 2 east to exit 22 (Baldwinville, Hubbardston) and continue ¾ of the way around the rotary exiting under the railroad bridge onto 68 north, Main Street. Then follow underlined directions above.
Parking: Parking is available on both the right and left hand sides of the road. You may also continue to Pine Street, take a right and proceed to a small parking lot adjacent to the Library building.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Levi Heywood Memorial Library
Nondiscrimination Policy
The Levi Heywood Memorial Library is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. In accordance with state and federal law, the Library does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national origin or ancestry, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or military status.
This policy shall apply to, but is not limited to, (1) any member of the public using or accessing Library services or programs, (2) any employee or candidate for employment, and (3) any non-employee providing goods or services to the Library.
The Director of Human Resources of the City of Gardner, MA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Library’s nondiscrimination policy concerning employment . In all other regards, the Library Director shall serve as the compliance officer and will provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints with respect to alleged discrimination. Complaints against the Director may be filed with the President of the Library’s Board of Trustees. All Library employees, volunteers, and Trustee Board members are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner consistent with this policy.
Adopted January 11, 2012
-Board of Trustees