Mission, Vision, and Strategy
We aren’t your average library.
Bringing literature, music, art, science, and the humanities to our community, our mission extends far beyond most traditional lending libraries. Pequot Library is housed in an historic building, framed by a Great Lawn, and located on more than three acres in the charming village of Southport in Fairfield, CT. A small gem to be discovered, Pequot Library is a vibrant programming library where visitors of all ages arrive for high-impact cultural events and leave enriched and inspired.
A Cultural Beacon
Pequot Library was founded in 1889 by Southport, CT residents Virginia Marquand Monroe (1837 – 1926) and Elbert B. Monroe (1836 – 1894). The library building, designed by noted American architect Robert H. Robertson, opened to the public in March 1894. It was Mrs. Monroe’s intention that Pequot be as “free as air to all.”
Pequot Library is a destination library listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For over seven generations, Pequot Library has been a cultural beacon of Fairfield County, providing traditional library services and diverse programming to our local and regional community. We help children develop a lifelong interest in reading and learning through engaging programs and special activities. Our robust calendar of events includes musical performances, exhibitions, lectures, and a wide range of cultural, educational, and community events. We integrate our Special Collections of rare books, manuscripts, and archives into our day-to-day services to the community through exhibitions, programs, and hands-on classes and workshops.
“I love Pequot because it’s one of a kind, with its historical architecture and collection of rare books.”
Serving the Community
We serve readers of all ages with a circulating collection of over 116,000 books, audiobooks, and DVDs. Our dynamic calendar of first-rate arts and literary programs and events educates and entertains a broad audience. We curate multiple exhibitions during the year that highlight and explore rare books, manuscripts, and archives from our Special Collections of approximately 30,000+ items. In conjunction with our exhibitions, we organize guided tours and educational programs for K-12 students throughout the area, including Fairfield and Bridgeport.
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Special Collections
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