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The Stillwater Public Library was founded in 1922 by the Stillwater Woman’s Club. A year later the club opened Stillwater’s first public library in the former parsonage of the United Brethren Church. Later that same year, the City of Stillwater agreed to assume financial responsibility for the public library by hiring a part-time librarian, Harriet Woodring and establishing a Library Board and building fund. In 1926, the W. T. Keys home, located at the corner of 6th Avenue and Husband, was purchased for $10,500 to house the Library. In April of 1937, Stillwater voters approved the construction of a 12,000 square foot library at the same location. Built with a Public Works Administration grant, the Library at 206 West 6th Avenue was opened to the public on September 21, 1938 and formally dedicated October 16. The new Library featured an auditorium, shelving for 22,000 books, and seating for 100 people in the reading room. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Library underwent a number of renovations including conversion of the basement auditorium into a children’s department, addition of a mezzanine, and expansion of parking facilities. The Library expanded to 13,500 square feet.
On November 20, 1990 Stillwater voters passed a $4.98 million bond issue for the construction of a new public library at 1107 S. Duck. The new facility included the renovation of the existing Stillwater South High School and construction of a new 27,500 square foot building giving the Library a grand total of 50,400 square feet. The Library opened its new doors to the public on April 8, 1994 with a formal dedication on May 14.
Today, the Stillwater Public Library provides the latest technological services while maintaining its traditional, core collections. The library provides free wireless service and twenty three internet accessible computers equipped with the Microsoft Office Suite. Extensive online services and resources are available including full text journals, e-books, account management, and reference services. The library’s core collection numbers over 90,000 volumes and includes books, audio books, music CDs, DVDs, videos magazines and newspapers. Special collections include Multi-Language, Graphic Novels, Genealogy, and Local government and historical documents. An Outreach Program delivers library materials to homebound patrons, assisted living facilities and daycares. Programs for children, teens and adults are available throughout the year, including an extensive summer reading program. Unique to the Stillwater Public Library is an exceptional meeting room facility designed to meet a variety of meeting and events needs.
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