History of Oregon Public Library | Oregon Public Library

1898

Black and white photo of the library. There are a couple book cases and a desk with a chair. — *Picture courtesy of OAHS.*

Thirty-five families belonged to a subscription library known as Parmalee's. These families paid $3.00 a month and every three months a box of 50 books arrived at the library, which was located in CC Peast's Drug Store. This library structure was fairly common at the time.

1908

Photo of the present day 115 S Main St, Oregon, WI — *115 S Main St.*
*1908 location*
*Photo Courtesy of OAHS.*

The first public library was established in Oregon when Mrs. William Bennett started a lending library in a room above the Criddle Drug Store located at 113 S. Main Street. The rent was five dollars a month.

1910

The official Library was established and became part of the Village.

1914

Photo of the present day McDermott Building — *The McDermott Building.*
*1914 location*
*Photo courtesy of OAHS.*

The library moved to a room over the McDermott Building at 105 S Main Street.

1916

Photo of the present day Netherwood Block, Oregon, WI — *Current picture of Netherwood Block.*
*1916 library location.*
*Picture courtesy of OAHS.*

The library moved to the Netherwood Block.

1941

Current photo of the Oregon Village Hall. — *Current picture of Old Village Hall.*
*1941 library location.*
*Picture courtesy of OAHS.*

The library moved to the Village Hall building, 117 Spring Street.

May 1980

The library moved to 219 Park Street (formerly Paul’s SuperMarket, now the Oregon Senior Center)

December 1995

Photo of the current library located at 256 Brook Street complete with view of the reader statues. — *256 Brook St.*
*1995 library location.*
*Photo from 2014.*

The library moved to 256 Brook Street.

2010 Centennial Information

Photo of centennial desk in operation — Centennial desk

Photo of the Centennial desk with pink flowers

Library Postcard from Centennial Year (PDF)

Desk Donor Booklet (PDF)

Centennial Article for Oregon Area Community Book Project (PDF)

Birthday Brochure (PDF)

Party Poster (PDF)

Centennial Community Desk (PDF)

January 2024

Director Jennifer Way cutting the ribbon — January 4, 2024 Grand Opening Celebration

The Library opened in its new location of 200 N. Alpine Parkway. The new building is 3x larger than the Brook St. location and includes new spaces like study rooms, a conference room, and a makerspace.