Cary Memorial Library

Cary Memorial Library is Lexington’s public library and the second busiest single library in Massachusetts, lending more than a million items a year. Established in 1868, it holds more than 350,000 items in print and digital formats, including a rich collection of materials on the Lexington area and the Revolutionary period. Digital holdings include the Worthen Collection and the Lexington Minuteman newspaper. Patrons can also borrow passes to museums, parks and cultural attractions.

The library doubles as an arts venue. It has an extensive permanent art collection and four rotating gallery spaces, among them the Idea Wall, a 16-foot-long, 10-foot-high public art space in the library’s Living Room. Programming fills the calendar for every age, from baby laptime and toddler sessions to teen crafternoons, book clubs, English conversation groups, health talks and job-seeker networking, along with offsite events such as star parties.

What to Know

• The Cary Library Foundation hosts a Library After Dark series of after-hours music and theater performances.
• The library offers door-to-door services.
• Koren Stembridge is the library director.
• An Ask a Librarian form is available for questions.