Wisconsin library history link of the day: Baraboo Public Library

Wisconsin Library Association

Wisconsin Library Heritage Center

Library History | Baraboo Public Library  
Key dates

• 1895.  Library chartered by State of Wisconsin; housed in room in City Building.
• 1903.  New library building opens.
• Designed by Louis Claude
• Neo-classical revival style with brick and limestone exterior
• 6,000 square feet
• $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie
• 5,000 books in opening-day collection
• 1908.  Story hours for children initiated.
• 1936.  Library closed for 3 months due to fire.
• 1941-1945.  Library service extended to 13,000 construction and plant workers at Badger Ordnance Works
• 1963.  Sauk County Library established.
• 1969.  Children's library moved to basement.
• 1975.  Dane and Sauk counties form the South Central Library System (SCLS)
• 1975.  Remodeling includes new checkout desk, reference shelving, and AV room in basement
• 1982.  Expansion project increases square footage to 15,000
• 1985.  Installation of automated circulation system (SCROLL)
• 1994.  Introduction of LINKcat, shared SCLS online catalog
• 1997.  Staff and public Internet access introduced

Photo credit:  Wikipedia Commons

Other library history posts:

Alma Public Library.  (1/15/2016)
Altoona Public Library.  (1/16/2016)
Appleton Public Library.  (1/17/2016)
Vaughn Public Library, Ashland.  (1/18/2016)

Listed by year of legal establishment:
1888.  Vaughn Public Library, Ashland
1891.  Wisconsin Library Association established.
1895.  Baraboo Public Library
1897.  Appleton Public Library
1960.  Altoona Public Library
1985.  Alma Public Library