Fairfield, Then & Now: The Library

"Then & Now" is a new, occasional feature that provide background for some of Fairfield's iconic landmarks, buildings, and business. We'll provide old photos and new photos for hopefully interesting comparisons.  

For the inaugural "Then & Now" post, we'll take a look at the Fairfield Public Library's main branch, situated on the corner of Old Post and Post roads.  

Before it became the Fairfield Public Library, it was known as Fairfield Memorial Library and was housed in the Old Academy building, according to the library's history.  

The Fairfield Memorial Library opened on Dec. 27, 1867. For a $1 annual fee, people could borrow one book at a time from the library's 677-volume collection. The library was open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to the history.  

The library was relocated to where it stands today on Old Post and Post roads in 1903. The new library building was dedicated on June 4 of that year. That building began as a two-story colonial with three floors of stacks.  

Library operations were taken over by the town in 1950 and the Fairfield Memorial Library was rebranded the Fairfield Public Library.  

Since was moved to where it now stands, several additions were completed -- in 1930, 1959, 1981, and 2004-2005 -- to create the building we see today.  

The postcards -- found in eBay's postcard collection -- show the library building in the early 20th century.