Willmar Public Library celebrates 115 years

WILLMAR - The Willmar Public Library on Tuesday celebrated 115 years of providing books, resources and services to the Willmar lakes area community.

Newspaper clippings and other historical items were on display for patrons, who also were served refreshments during the celebration.

The library in downtown Willmar was established in 1904 with funding from Andrew Carnegie. Over the decades, the library merged and morphed into what it is today. In 1958, it merged with the Kandiyohi County Library, and that combined entity in 1972 joined with libraries in neighboring counties to form the Crow River Regional Library. The Willmar Public Library became part of the Pioneerland Library System in 1983.

The citizens of Willmar voted in 1996 to implement a sales tax to fund a renovation and addition to the library building, giving the community a larger, up-to-date facility that was completed in 1999.

1/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Liane Yungerberg holds a West Central Tribune newspaper clipping featuring the Willmar Public Library during the 115th anniversary celebration Tuesday at the facility in downtown Willmar.

2/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune John and Bonita Kallestad enjoy a piece of cake Tuesday during the 115th anniversary celebration of the Willmar Public Library in downtown Willmar.

3/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Adult Services Librarian Syrena Maranell, left, and Liane Yungerberg look at old West Central Tribune newspaper clippings about the Willmar Public Library. The clippings were displayed Tuesday for the library's 115th anniversary celebration.