The Chippewa Falls Public Library opened on February 5, 1894 in response to a highly popular “book social” sponsored by the People's Literary Society. The new library was located in the McBean Building at 19 East Central Street. In December, 1903 a new library building was erected with a 20,000 dollar gift from the Carnegie Foundation. In 1914 a fire in one of the offices of the new building destroyed numerous books and most of the library's earliest records. Due to steady growth both within the community and in the size of the library's collection, a larger library was built and opened in 1969. This structure, located at 105 W. Central Street, continues to serve as Chippewa Falls' only public library.
For the period represented by the records, 1896-1965, the City Council was the ultimate authority to which the library reported, and city appropriations accounted for the largest share of the library's funding. A board of directors oversaw the functions of the library which was managed by a head librarian and staff. The head librarian was responsible for all aspects of administration and operation including the compilation of yearly reports and budgets. The reports contained much essential information that attested to the responsible operation and maintenance of the library--such as circulation totals and statistics, total receipts and expenditures, the allocation of funds, and a written summary of how the librarian perceived the position of the institution in the community.
A number of individuals are entwined with the history of the library during this period, foremost among them being the earliest librarians, Mary Stanley (served 1894-1895), Maude Earley (served 1895-1901), Belle Walrath (served 1901-1907), Anna Bronsky (served 1907-1912), and Marion E. Bryant (served 1912-1942). Also of significance in the library's history is Justice Roujet D. Marshall because of the sizeable contribution he bequeathed to the library in 1926.
