Featured Library 

The Douglas Library of Hebron serves a population of 9,500 nestled midway between Hartford and Norwich. The library became a department of the Town of Hebron in 2013, but its history goes back much further. It started life as the Hebron Literary Society before the Hebron Library Association was formed in 1889. The Association’s 200-volume collection was housed in a private residence until a facility was constructed in 1899. The library was eventually renamed after Dr. Charles Douglas made an endowment in memory of his wife, Ida Porter, who had been a volunteer at the library for 40 years before passing. After going through major renovations in 1957 and 2000, the 400 square foot original building is now 16,800 square feet and the breadth of services offered to the public has grown in kind.

The Douglas Library of Hebron is proud to offer a wide variety of services that go well beyond traditional library resources.

The physical collection is bolstered by a significant investment in digital materials available on Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Biblio+, the Palace Project.

The ‘library of things’ has been expanded to include cake pans, portable Wi-Fi hotspots, and a collection of yard games, with more additions to come.

The maker-space is comprised of two 3D printers, a 3D pen, a book scanner, a Cricut machine, and a sewing machine - all of which are available for public use at no out-of-pocket expense to the user.

The staff prides itself in offering a slate of enriching and entertaining programs such as Equity Bootcamp, a series of programs sponsored by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund to provide opportunities for residents to discuss and examine their relationships with racism and white supremacy. In February, the library installed exterior pick-up lockers to increase access to materials for those unable to easily visit the facilities.

Over the past three years, the library has undergone a series of large-scale building projects including the replacement of the flooring, HVAC system, and windows in the building; the library is also in the middle of a project – partially funded through a State Library Construction Grant - to replace and bring its roof up to current building code. All of that construction will help to keep the Douglas Library an attractive and modern space ready to serve the community for decades to come.

The Douglas Library of Hebron is overseen by director Kevin Sullivan, who has served in the role since 2018. He works closely with a supportive Board of Trustees and a terrific staff as well as two wonderful booster groups: the Douglas Library Association and the Friends of the Douglas Library of Hebron.

Come visit us soon!

Library Director: Kevin Sullivan - 860-228-9312, x316