Our Mission
The mission of Westerly Library and Wilcox Park is to strengthen community and enrich lives by stimulating intellect and sparking imagination through access to literature, information, technology, nature, and the arts.
Our Vision
Westerly Library and Wilcox Park strives to be a premier intellectual, cultural, and botanical asset for the region.
About & History
Westerly Library and Wilcox Park is a private non-profit owned and operated by the Memorial and Library Association. The Association was established in 1892 to commemorate the volunteer soldiers and sailors who fought in the Civil War. Designed by Longstaff & Hurd, architects from Bridgeport, Connecticut, Westerly Library opened its doors in 1894 through the initiative of local industrialist-inventor, Stephen Wilcox. Mr. Wilcox donated the land on which the library is situated, as well as $25,000 to be matched by citizens of the community.
Originally the library included a bowling alley, gymnasium, art gallery, museum, and meeting space for the Grand Army of the Republic. On opening day, August 15, 1894, Westerly Library had a collection of 5,000 volumes, and the building was open 24 hours each week. Additions were constructed in 1902, 1928 and 1992. The final addition, which won the 1994 Historic Preservation Award from the Rhode Island Preservation Commission, nearly doubled the size of the building.
Today, the library is open 60 hours each week, and the collection includes books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, and more totaling over 287,000 items. There are computers for public use throughout the building. The library, a participant in a statewide-automated network, offers access to online databases, e-books, and over four million items from library collections across the state of Rhode Island.
Publicity
- Groups collaborating with the Library on programs must coordinate marketing efforts with the Marketing and Outreach Manager.
- Events co-hosted by the Library bear the Library’s name; therefore, the Library will create all promotional materials.
- Co-sponsored Events will be publicized on the Library’s digital and print events calendar only. All other publicity is the organizer’s responsibility. The Library shall not be identified or implied as a sponsor without the consent of the Executive Director. All press releases and flyers bearing the Library’s name must be sent to the Library for approval prior to release.
When referring to our organization either in name or location, please use either of the following:
Westerly Library and Wilcox Park | Westerly Library & Wilcox Park | Westerly Library
Logo
If you have questions regarding the proper use of the logo or other brand elements such as color and typography, please contact Director of Marketing & Communications:
Kelli Butler, 401.596.2877 x 302, kbutler@westerlylibrary.org
To download our logo in multiple files types (eps, png, jpg), please click the appropriate link below. For our full Brand Guidelines, click here.
Stacked: CMYK, PMS, RGB, Black, White
Horizontal: CMYK, PMS, RGB, Black, White
Social Media
Facebook: Westerly Library & Wilcox Park | facebook.com/westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
Instagram: westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark | instagram.com/westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
YouTube: westerlylibraryandwilcoxpa2737 | youtube.com/@westerlylibraryandwilcoxpa2737
Media Inquiries
Director of Marketing & Communications: Kelli Butler, 401.596.2877 x 302, kbutler@westerlylibrary.org
Marketing & Outreach Manager: Amanda Wagner, 401.596.2877 x342, awagner@westerlylibrary.org
