The Topsfield Town Library serves a vibrant community of more than 6,000 residents. The Library is a community center that hosts art displays, author visits, workshops, and frequent children’s story times.
The Topsfield Town Library can trace its origins back to Topsfield’s first library, the Topsfield Library Society founded in 1794 (Panella 2). Formed by eighty residents who paid twenty shillings each towards the purchase of books, the first 68 volumes were purchased and kept in a bookcase. The bookcase was kept at the home of the current librarian, usually the pastor of 
the church or a physician. Books were circulated the last Monday of every month. This bookcase and its original volumes are on display in the periodical room of the Topsfield Town Library today.
