A nonprofit institution founded in 1875, this public library serves the community from a landmark Renaissance Revival building completed in 1900—primarily funded by John Nicholas Brown I. Its classical façade and richly restored interior evoke early‑20th‑century civic pride, while a 1954 modern addition expanded its capacity. It remains privately governed yet publicly accessible, home to extensive historic and special collections—from local newspapers and whaling logs to cuneiform tablets—and active cultural programming.