Talcott Free Library

Mission Statement

Talcott Free Library is a strong community partner that provides a friendly, safe space for generations, young and old, to strengthen their knowledge and enrich their lives.

Library History

In 1875, a Public Library Association was organized in Rockton of which each person had to pay to use the collection.  13 years later, in June of 1888, the Honorable Wait A. Talcott donated a building to Rockton Township to be used as a library, providing the town would organize under the laws of Illinois and vote to establish a tax to support the library. The original building was constructed in 1854 as a feed and grain store; Wait’s son William paid for the repair of the building to become a library, including a new roof, his brother Thomas donated a nucleus of books, and W. W. Austin installed electric lights. Talcott Free Library was dedicated on August 22, 188,9, and named such because the public no longer had to pay to use the collection. For further information on Talcott’s more than 125-year history, please come visit our Local History section. For more historical images, see our Community page.