Hollis Social Library

History:

In the year 1799, the Hollis Social Library was incorporated by the General Court of the State of New Hampshire. It is approaching the third century of its existence.

The Hollis library began life as an association, open to its members for an initial fee of $2.00, with annual dues of 50 cents and a collection of approximately 300 books. For years it was moved from place to place with succeeding elected librarians, eventually resting at the home of the Burge family. Although the collection was neglected for a time, in 1851 it was installed in a room of the Congregational Meeting House.

The library was sold to the town in 1879 for $1.00, thus becoming one of the first public libraries in the state. The books remained housed in the church for an additional thirty years, requiring more and more space as the number of volumes increased.