On June 1, we are moving to new summer hours. The biggest change is that we will open at 10 AM daily. Monday & Wednesday, 10 AM to 9 PM; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 AM to 5:30 PM; Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed Sunday.
The Rutland Historical Society and the library have partnered to make selected years of the Rutland High School Yearbook from 1930-1993 (more coming!) available. Check it out by clicking on the title!
Click on the Kids Space tab to access TumbleBooks! Find animated, talking picture books with fiction, non-fiction and foreign language titles, and Read-Alongs (chapter books with sentence highlighting and narration.)
We now have a pass for 2 adults and 2 children for the Billings Farm and Museum! Call or swing by the library to borrow it.
Rutland Film Society and Rutland Free Library present a second year of outstanding films and panel discussion. Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm.
Sign up for Library Elf, a new service we subscribe to, and you can receive emails or text messages for holds and due dates on your library account.
Reader’s Corner (which you can find in the left-hand menu, and the top menu) features all the resources you need about books in our library. There are links to InterLibrary Loan and a request form for new books and dvds. Check it out today!
We have passes available for Vermont State Parks, Historic Sites, and Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Ask at the circulation desk or call for more information.
Our History
The Rutland Free Library was started in 1886. Originally housed in various storefronts and at the old Memorial Hall on West Street, the library has been located in the old courthouse and jail on Center Street since the 1930s.
In 1965 an addition was built to expand the capacity. In 1990 a second addition was completed, making a total of 24,167 square feet available including meeting rooms, book stacks, reading rooms, administrative offices, and storage.
Rutland’s History
Rutland County historically was a transportation, commercial, and manufacturing center. After World War II, the marble industry declined, followed by a decline in the machine industries and the demolition of the railroad complex in 1964. Today, the biggest employers are General Electric, Rutland Regional Medical Center and Central Vermont Public Service Corporation, an electrical utility. The retail commercial sector and the service industry supporting the tourist trade are also significant parts of the economy. Rutland City has a full range of community facilities and each of the towns in Rutland County also provides some services and facilities. Briefly, Rutland City is home to a major medical center, ambulance and paramedic service, full-time police and fire personnel, Stafford Technical Center, Community College of Vermont, College of St. Joseph, and elementary and secondary private Catholic schools. Cultural and recreational opportunities are provided by Rutland City Recreation Department, the senior citizens center, the Chaffee Art Center and other art galleries, and various clubs and organizations. There are four high schools in addition to Rutland High in the county and a total of eight institutions of higher learning in the region.
If you’re interested in learning more about Rutland or doing research about the area using the Rutland Herald newspaper, see our Rutland Herald page for information in all the ways to access issues of the Rutland Herald.
Community Analysis:
A community analysis created October 2, 2003 by Jessamyn West, Outreach Librarian for the Rutland Free Library.
The document includes the history, geography & description of the area, community resources, economic life, community needs and much more.
