Our Mission and Vision

MISSION

The Robbins Library is a vital community center that connects people with traditional and technological resources for life-long learning, intellectual pursuits and leisure. The library responds to citizens’ needs with services and activities in a welcoming setting built on a history of free and equal access to information for all Arlington residents.

VISION

The Robbins Library strives to be the center of the Arlington Community. The library will use:

• Collections, services, technological resources and programs that respond to community members’ needs
• Strategic partnerships with community organizations and town offices to expand the reach of the library to all ages and groups
• Effective promotion of library services and programs to Arlington residents to increase library awareness and to support lifelong learning
• Modern library spaces that balance the needs of traditional and contemporary library users.

When Robbins library was built, the population of Arlington was 5,600 and the library owned 12,000 volumes. Less than forty years later, in 1930 the population had increased to 36,000 and the library’s collection to 40,000. The town therefore appropriated $90,000 to add a wing to house the children’s room and a public meeting room.

Trustees of the Library

The Library Board of Trustees consists of seven members who are appointed by the Town Manager for staggered terms of three years. The Board establishes and oversees policy for the governing of the library and has responsibility for the management and expenditure of trust funds.
The board has regular monthly meetings and other meetings as needed. The trustees receive no remuneration for their services.

• Trustee Chair Kathyrn Gandek-Tighe
• Vice-Chair Heather Calvin
• Trust Fund Liaison Barbara Muldoon
• Member Katharine Fennelly
• Member Brigid Kennedy-Pfister
• Member Francis R. Murphy
• Member Joyce Radochia