The Pollard Memorial Library at 401 Merrimack St. in Downtown Lowell. (Courtesy Pollard Memorial Library)
by Melanie Gilbert
LOWELL – The city continues to get recognized by national media outlets, with the latest honor going to the Pollard Memorial Library.
Family Vacation U.S., a Louisville, Kentucky online travel marketing firm, listed the historic library and its extensive book and art collection, as No. 11 in an article titled “12 Massachusetts Libraries That Make Book Lovers Want To Stay All Afternoon.”
Author Dan Marlow noted that the Pollard’s Downtown Lowell location building at 401 Merrimack St., right next to City Hall, “makes it easy to fold a library stop into a day in the city.”
Library Director Bridget Cooley said the library was grateful to be included in the statewide list.
“The library takes great pride in preserving and showcasing the historical features of the building while curating the stories and lessons of our city,” Cooley said by email Tuesday. “We warmly welcome everyone to our library, residents and visitors alike, and are always happy to share our history, architecture, and art.”
Cooley said the library added four new pieces of artwork that reflect the library’s contemporary atmosphere while maintaining a thoughtful balance with the building’s historic character. The pieces include a Bicentennial mosaic, an Eyeformation mural and two mini murals created by students in Lowell High School’s National Arts Honor Society.
“We strive to provide unique opportunities for visitors to learn, explore, and discover something new — whether through reading, attending a program, developing a new skill, or simply trying something different,” Cooley said.
Marlow also highlighted that the library’s “extensive collection gives you plenty to sample. Wander the shelves and grab a few options before you claim a seat.”
The library’s collection has grown from the 3,500 volumes on the shelves when the building opened in 1844, to today’s collection of approximately 240,408 volumes, plus videos, CDs, DVDs and its microfilm collection.
The Pollard is also a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, which gives Lowell residents direct access to the holdings of 36 libraries in the region.
The library strengthened literacy and community engagement with the American Rescue Plan Act‑funded Bookmobile, expanded its world‑language and English‑language learning collections by over 350 titles, and saw a significant rise in usage — from roughly 400 daily visitors in November 2024 to 700 daily visitors in November 2025.
The library also maintains an active events schedule – from movies and crafts, to book and technology discussions, and music and art workshops.
It offers and maintains all these services and programming with a $2.1 million fiscal 2027 budget, the support of the community and volunteer organizations like the Friends of the Pollard Memorial Library.
The nonprofit organization provides financial support for library programs and services that are not covered by its budget. Its funding comes from membership dues, donations, book sales and other events, as well as from ongoing sales from book carts located on the first and ground floors in the library.
Friends Secretary Helen Littlefield said recognition of Lowell’s historic library, a cornerstone of civic life in the city, was well deserved.
“The Friends are quite proud of our library, its staff and the countless ways the library contributes to life in Lowell,” Littlefield by text on Tuesday. “It’s gratifying to have the Pollard Memorial Library included in this list, though of course, we would have put it higher up!”
The Friends holds its Fall Book Sale on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library’s ground floor community room on Merrimack Street. There will be a large selection of adult, young adult and children’s books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks.
The proceeds from the book sales help the Friends to continue their support of the library and its programs, including the museum pass program, which is one of the library’s most popular community services. The Friends also provide funds for the library’s drop-in craft kits, local artist series and other programs and activities.
Those interested in volunteering or joining the Friends of the Pollard Memorial Library can visit the Library’s Friends page for membership information or contact them at friendsofpml@lowelllibrary.org.
The library is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday.
To read the Top 12 Massachusetts Libraries list, visit bit.ly/4zMnhuc.
