In 1951 the Columbia Woman’s Club proposed that the City of Columbia needed a public library. The group helped organize and promote Bookmobile visits to the Columbia schools starting in the early 1950’s. In 1958 a public library was established on the top floor of the Columbia City Hall. The current library building was constructed in 1976 on the site of Columbia’s first electric plant and pond. The construction of the Library was financed by the Friends of the Library. These dedicated members (and their families) put their own homes up as collateral for the original construction loan. In 1994 an addition to the building doubled the size by providing improved reading and shelving areas and lower level meeting rooms. More recent renovations include a new children’s collection area, a reorganized main floor as well as new carpet and tile. These renovations and the constant upkeep of books, programs and technical resources are widely funded through The Friends of the Columbia Public Library today.

For more information, contact the Friends at fol@columbialibrary.org.