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Salem Public Library (Oregon)

Coordinates: 44°56′07″N 123°02′32″W / 44.93528°N 123.04222°W / 44.93528; -123.04222
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Salem Public Library
Old Salem library, ca. 1920
Map
44°56′07″N 123°02′32″W / 44.93528°N 123.04222°W / 44.93528; -123.04222
LocationSalem, Oregon, United States
TypePublic library
Established1904
Branches2
Collection
Size398,869 items
Access and use
Circulation1,148,570
Population served177,694
Members51,953
Other information
Budget$7,170,479
Employees56
Websitecityofsalem.net/library
References: Oregon Public Library Statistics, 2021–2022[1]

The Salem Public Library is a public library system serving Salem, Oregon, United States. The system includes two branches and is a member of the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, which serves the Salem metropolitan area.

History

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The Salem Public Library was established by the Salem Woman's Club in May 1904, with 50 donated books,[2] and located in the city council chamber beginning later that year. The library board appealed to industrialist Andrew Carnegie to fund the construction of a permanent library, and was granted $27,500. The library, located at the corner of State and Winter streets, opened on September 12, 1912.[3][4]

The Salem Public Library was a founding member of the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, a regional reference and catalogue system serving the Mid-Willamette Valley area, when it began in 1974.[5] In 2004, library supporters attempted to create a consolidated library district for Salem, to be funded by a permanent property tax, but were rejected by voters in the November 2004 election.[6]

Main Library

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The downtown library was relocated to a larger building in the new civic center on July 6, 1972.[7] The library was closed in December 1989 to begin a $5 million renovation,[8] which was completed on January 26, 1991, and added 35,000 square feet (3,300 m2) of space.[9] A $18.6 million seismic and safety upgrade was completed in 2021.[10]

West Salem Branch

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The Salem Public Library opened a branch in West Salem on October 17, 1957, in the former West Salem city hall.[11][12] The library moved to a larger, 5,400-square-foot (500 m2) facility at the Oak Hills Shopping Center on April 5, 1987.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Oregon Public Library Statistics". Library Support and Development Services. 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. ^ Thompson Jr., Dennis (May 22, 2004). "Library marks storied past". Statesman Journal. p. 1A. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  3. ^ "Salem Public Library". Salem Public Library. January 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Zimmerman, Andy (March 24, 2017). "Heritage: Former library served Salem for decades". Statesman Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "Regional Library Service to Start". The Oregon Statesman. June 30, 1974. p. 2. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  6. ^ Thompson Jr., Dennis (November 3, 2004). "Salem Library District: Property-tax fee soundly defeated". Statesman Journal. p. 7S. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  7. ^ Blackenbaker, Ron (July 7, 1972). "Salem Library Opens in Civic Center". The Oregon Statesman. p. 26. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  8. ^ Decker, Christine (February 20, 1990). "Business booms at Salem library". Statesman Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  9. ^ Decker, Christine (January 25, 1991). "Soon Salem can check out library". Statesman Journal. p. 1A. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  10. ^ "Salem Public Library Seismic and Safety Upgrade Project". City of Salem. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Branch Library in West Salem Open". The Oregon Statesman. October 18, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  12. ^ "West Salem Library Job Brings Honor". The Oregon Statesman. October 2, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  13. ^ Feldman, Stuart (April 6, 1987). "Library celebrates its gains". Statesman Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon