Most accounts state that the Yoncalla Library was started in 1926. All accounts agree that the Yoncalla Women’s Study Club started the first public library. The primary purpose of the club was to pursue the study of different countries and cultures, of literature, of art, and of music. The club also became involved
with local issues, like the formation of the library.
Jess and Jennie Laswell donated books from their personal library to start the City library. Members of the Study Club donated time to set the library up. The City budgeted $125 per year to fund the library when Gertrude Daugherty was Yoncalla Mayor (1939-1940). The Study Club took over running the library, and the members served as volunteer librarians.
One account says that the first Yoncalla Library was located in the Porter Hotel, then moved to the brick school. Other accounts say that the brick school was the first location. All accounts agree that from the brick school it moved to the Eagle Theater on Main Street. After the theater burned, the library moved to the building that housed the Yoncalla City Hall.
In 1956, the Douglas County Library System was formed, and our
library became a branch in that system. Theresa Warner became the first paid librarian. She was succeeded by Edith Metz in 1965, by Beulah Everly in 1978, and by Jill Cunningham in 2000
R.B. White, owner of the Yoncalla Lumber Company, donated lumber and funds to build a new City Hall and Library. The old building was torn down and in 1963 the
new building was dedicated. In 1987 a C. Giles Hunt grant was obtained to expand the library portion of the building.
In the 1990s, the need for a bigger and better library was recognized. The Yoncalla Library Advisory Board, with Doris Bartlett as chair, and with the help of additional volunteers, obtained grants, monetary donations, and in-kind donations to build the beautiful library located at 194 Birch St. that was dedicated in January of 2003.
In April of 2017, Douglas County stopped funding county libraries and closed the
Yoncalla Branch. On August 2 of that year the library was reopened by the non-profit Friends of the Yoncalla Library, under agreement with the City of Yoncalla. A community fundraising effort enabled the retention of Jill Cunningham as Libarian. In 2023 Amy Bucknum was hired as librarian who, with the support of the Friends of the Yoncalla Library and numerous volunteers, has been able to provide a wide range of services for the community.
It’s clear that our library throughout its history has been a product of people who recognize that our library is a true asset to our community and who are willing to give their all to keep it going!
