INDEPENDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

    The Independence Public Library is located in downtown Independence, Oregon, a city situated twelve miles southwest of the state capitol of Salem, in the heart of the Willamette Valley.

HISTORY


    Architect Harold D. Marsh designed the original Independence Public Library. Local contractor Charles Smiley constructed it, completing the building on October 29, 1929. The Women's Club of Independence donated the site and the taxpayers financed the majority of the construction costs which totaled $5600 not including the architect's fees. As originally built the library consisted of a reading room measuring 30 X 48 feet, an executive and work room measuring 18 X 20 feet and a fireplace. Prominent Independence families donated many of the original furnishings and the books as well. The building still stands at 311 Monmouth Street.

    In the fall of 1998 an anonymous donor issued a challenge to the Independence community to match a $10,000 donation. The community responded with a flurry of fund raising activities and private donations. A task force appointed by the mayor, along with the Friends of the Library group and other volunteers worked on additional fund raising for the library building and other activities.  A bond measure was passed in November of 2002 and construction on the new library was began in the Spring of  2003. The new Independence Public Library opened at 175 Monmouth Street on September 27th, 2003.

The library continues to accept donations. For more information, please contact the library, 503-838-1811.

The library serves city residents and those of the surrounding rural area. To learn more about the library, click on the following links: