Salem Public Library (Oregon)
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.
| Salem Public Library | |
|---|---|
 Old Salem library, ca. 1920 | |
| 44°56′07″N 123°02′32″W | |
| Location | Salem, Oregon, United States |
| Type | Public library |
| Established | 1904 |
| Branches | 2 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 398,869 items |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 1,148,570 |
| Population served | 177,694 |
| Members | 51,953 |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $7,170,479 |
| Employees | 56 |
| Website | cityofsalem |
| References: Oregon Public Library Statistics, 2021–2022[1] | |
History
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
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
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
- "Oregon Public Library Statistics". Library Support and Development Services. 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- Thompson Jr., Dennis (May 22, 2004). "Library marks storied past". Statesman Journal. p. 1A. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Salem Public Library". Salem Public Library. January 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- Zimmerman, Andy (March 24, 2017). "Heritage: Former library served Salem for decades". Statesman Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- "Regional Library Service to Start". The Oregon Statesman. June 30, 1974. p. 2. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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.
- Blackenbaker, Ron (July 7, 1972). "Salem Library Opens in Civic Center". The Oregon Statesman. p. 26. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Decker, Christine (February 20, 1990). "Business booms at Salem library". Statesman Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Decker, Christine (January 25, 1991). "Soon Salem can check out library". Statesman Journal. p. 1A. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Salem Public Library Seismic and Safety Upgrade Project". City of Salem. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- "Branch Library in West Salem Open". The Oregon Statesman. October 18, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "West Salem Library Job Brings Honor". The Oregon Statesman. October 2, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Feldman, Stuart (April 6, 1987). "Library celebrates its gains". Statesman Journal. p. 1C. Retrieved January 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.