Wisconsin library history link of the day: Appleton Public Library

Wisconsin Library Association

Wisconsin Library Heritage Center

History | Appleton Public Library

• APL's Private Origins
• The City Takes Over
• Growth and Building Projects
• Innovative Service
• Cooperation and Technology
• Community Support
• Celebrate the Past, Look to the Future

Key dates

• 1887.  Privately operated community reading room opens.
• 1888.  YMCA takes over operation of reading room.
• 1894.  Fire destroys most of reading room contents
• 1896.  Community reading room opens on Oneida Street
• 1897.  1st publicly owned library and reading room opens.  (September 1)
• 1900.  New municipal building open at 121 S. Oneida; library occupies 1st floor
• 1939.  City offices move to new location; library expands to 2nd floor.
• 1954.  Library remodeling project.
• 1981.  Dedication of new library at 225 N. Oneida (present location)
• 1995.  Library renovation.
• 2015.  Appleton council votes down library land purchase.  

Photo credit:  Fine Print (Appleton Public Library newsletter)

Other library history posts:

Alma Public Library.  (1/15/2016)
Altoona Public Library.  (1/16/2016)