Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service was created in 1973 as a way for public libraries to share information resources in Polk, Yamhill, Marion, and parts of Linn counties. Because the Chemeketa Community College service district also covered most of the geographic region, it was approached to serve as the administrative organization for the library cooperative and thus became a member of it. Newberg Public Library (which is outside of the college district) joined through contract.