Spokane Public Library history

The Spokane Public Library was established in 1894, after two unsuccessful attempts at creating a library system in the city.

The three-story Carnegie Library opened in 1904 at the western edge of downtown.

In 1905, a growing city needed a new library.

1938 Voters in Spokane and Pierce Counties establish county library districts, the first in the state.

1943 District library services initiated, operating out of Spokane Public Library through contract for use of SPL branches; Margaret Grein named County Librarian.

1946 Town of Fairfield and City of Medical Lake contract with SCLD; deposit stations also open in Rockford and Spangle.

1947 Mildred Brackett named County Librarian.

1948 Building at 1604 West Riverside, in Browne’s Addition, purchased for District offices; services provided through deposit stations and bookmobile, as well as contract with Spokane Public Library.

1951 Bruce Carrick named County Librarian; bookmobile purchased and service begins; Town of Millwood voters reject measure to contract with SCLD for library service.

1960 Florence Johnson named County Librarian.

The Carnegie building housed the Library until 1963.

1965 Susan Barclay named Director.

1966 District voters approve full $2 million property tax levy for District operations.

1970 New Fairfield Library building opens at 305 East Main.

1972 New North Spokane Library building opens at 44 East Hawthorne; Outreach Services program initiated.

1974 Medical Lake Library opened; L. David Devine named Director.

1978 Orchard Avenue Library closes combining with Millwood Library.

1980 Millwood Library closes and North Argonne Library opens; bookmobile service ends; Spokane Cooperative Library Information System (SCOLIS) formed with four area libraries; Michael Wirt named Director.

1982 Former headquarters building sold; Latah and Waverly voters approve annexation to District.

1985 Cheney and Medical Lake annexations effective.

1987 City of Cheney receives Library Services & Construction Act matching grant for new library building.

1989 Automated circulation system upgraded and expanded; Eastern Washington University withdraws from SCOLIS consortium; groundbreaking held for North Spokane Library expansion; Medical Lake voters approve bond issue for new library building.

1992 New Otis Orchards Library opens at 22324 East Wellesley; Rockford approves annexation to the District; voters approve levy lid override proposition to maintain levy rate in September 15 election.

1997 New Airway Heights Library opens at 1213 S. Lundstrom; expanded and remodeled Cheney Library opens; Administrative Offices remodeled; new library automation system installed.

1999 Renovated and expanded Fairfield Library opens; SCLD website redesigned and expanded.

2002 New integrated library system software installed; workstations with office, reference and educational software installed in all branches through Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant; reciprocal use agreement with Spokane Public Library approved; first Spokane Is Reading event.

2006 New Moran Prairie branch opens, the first of District branches with Wi-Fi; voters approve a levy lid lift in September election; outreach services become branch-based.

2009 New online services introduced including Tutor.com and TumbleBooks; Playaway readers added to collection; work begins on the 20-year Library Facilities Master Plan.

In 2013, voters approved a property tax to partially fund library services, alongside allocated funds from the city budget.

2014 Spokane Valley Library Capital Facility Area (SVLCFA) and bond put before voters in April.

2016 Offered GED and High School Completion classes at Cheney Library in partnership with Spokane Community College.

In November 2018, voters approved a $77 million bond to build three new libraries and renovate four existing libraries.