When Albert C. Raymond died, late in the 19th century, he left $10,000 to Montville to start a library.
Raymond Library opened in 1885 at a cost of $2,606. The library is still operating on the original endowment and additional town funding. The private institution is run by a board of directors, headed by Sherwood Raymond, a descendant of the man who started it all.
The handsome library retains many of its original details. An addition was completed in 1969. When a pipe burst in 2009, 3,400 books were lost, and after an 11-month closing, the children's area was refurbished and restocked.
The director of Raymond Library is Joanne Westkamper. More information about the facility is available in pamphlets located at the front desk.