D. Newton Barney gave The Village Library to the people of Farmington, as a memorial to Sarah Brandegee Barney, his mother. A portrait of D. Newton Barney, by Rogert Brandegee, can be viewed in the main reading room along with Sarah Brandegee Barney and other notable Farmingtonians. The building was designed in the Greek revival style by Stephen Brainerd Lawrence in 1917. A plaque in memory of Mr. Lawrence is located in the library’s front hall.

The Village Library remained the principal town Library until the Farmington Library was commissioned in 1983. This new modern 52,000 square foot building consolidated Farmington and Unionville libraries into one Farmington Library.

The Village library was renovated three times: The Children’s wing in 1959 and again, in 1983, after being closed a year, the library reopened as the renovated Village Branch Library. In 1999, the Village Library was renamed, Barney Library, in thanksgiving to William and Harriet Barney Lidgerwood and the Barney Family for their largesse. They have served Farmington quietly, effectively and with great generosity giving of their time, talent and treasure to support and sustain that which makes Farmington unique. The latest modifications were affected between 2008 and 2009 and reopened as Barney Library on December 1, 2009.