The Rathbun Free Memorial Library was opened in 1935 through the generosity of Norris W. Rathbun, and his wife Frances Lovina Rathbun, who deeded their property and the funds to build the Library upon their decease. Although originally funded solely through the Trust, over the years the increasing costs of maintaining the property and the library resources have outpaced the Trust's ability to be its' sole support. In recent years, the Town of East Haddam has assisted financially on a yearly basis, as well as the Friends of the Rathbun and the Library Council's Annual Drive.

Today, the Rathbun offers substantial resources, both print and non-print/electronic, for its patrons and the community: a dynamic Fiction collection (bestsellers, mysteries, romance, science fiction, paperbacks and large-print), as well as a Factual/Non-Fiction collection; a growing Video/DVD and Book-on-Tape/CD collection (over 800 titles) as well as a quarterly rotating Foreign Film collection; Magazines; a substantial Children's and Young Adult department; a public Meeting Room; and a Genealogy and Local History Room.