Framingham, MA, 1963 by Richmond & Goldberg
While the current Framingham Historical Center is the more famous former Framingham library, this building was home to the central branch from its construction in 1963 until the current downtown branch was built in 1978. The large circular main reading room defines the facade, bowing out from the structure and further emphasized by solar shades which were recently removed. This use of the circle was common for local architects Isidor Richmond and Carney Goldberg who had recently finished the similar Roslindale Branch Library in Boston in 1961.
Much of the original library still exists intact, including the original garage for the city’s Bookmobile as well as the original signage though the word library has been removed. As of June 2023 the central reading room space exists mostly in the same state as it did in the 1960s with its distinct central column and circular clerestory above, though it’s currently empty. The building was sold in 2020 and saw some minor renovations including removal of the solar shades and a repainting of the rust red windows with a dark blue.
Sources:
“Real estate: Framingham’s former ’round’ library on Route 9 sold” Nancy Olesin, MetroWest Daily News
“Framingham Centre Public Library” Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System
“Doris Bunte Apartment Tower // 1967” Buildings of New England
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