[1] The library collection began in 1771, when Richard Smith, owner of a local blast furnace, used community contributions to buy 200 books in London.

This bequest, together with contributions from other Scoville family members, financed the construction of a gray marble building, built from native stone quarried near Lion's Head Road.

Miss Grace Scoville donated a tower clock, which continues to chime the quarter hours with four, eight, twelve, and sixteen notes from Parsifal.

By 1981, the library had outgrown the space available, and a new rear section was built along the outside walls of the original building, providing room for books, offices, and community events.

In addition the library houses an archive collection with materials related to Salisbury, Lakeville, and Ore Hill history and genealogy, as well as works of art including portraits of members of the Scoville family by Ellen Emmet Rand.