The library has existed in Darien as an institution since 1894, primarily in locations on the Post Rd (four sites including the current site), as well as a location just off the Post Road, on Leroy Avenue (which currently houses the Darien Board of Education). Andrew Carnegie offered funds for a library, but he was turned down by the town. The Darien Library is the most heavily utilized library in Connecticut. It has consistently ranked in the top ten of its category in the HAPLR (Hennen's American Public Library Ratings) Index of libraries. In 2012, it was named a Five Star library by "Library Journal", which used four objective measures: visits, circulation, program attendance and internet computer use per capita to compare the level of services libraries provide to their communities. The current building was funded over a three-year capital campaign, with town residents backing the initiative. 1,800 families contributed to the capital campaign. The Library is built to the LEED Gold certified standard.