Library Mission & History
The Mission & History of the Salem Public Library
Salem Public Library will be a reliable resource and an advocate of intellectual freedom for the community by providing free and equal access to information, materials, services and programs. It will acquire, organize and circulate books, non-print materials and services that help educate, enrich, entertain and inform individuals of all ages. It will promote and encourage the maximum use of its services and materials by the greatest number of people in its service area.
OUR HISTORY
Salem Public Library came into existence in November 1930. The library was housed in the old community building with about 200 books. The Senior Fortnightly Club of Salem was responsible for the origin, growth and development of the library. During this time a public committee was organized and composed of the Presidents of various women's clubs, which became known as the Community Building Board. The first library tax of one-half mill was voted in by the residents of Salem in September 1944. At the October 5, 1944 Salem City Council meeting, the Board approved a list of nine persons submitted by the Fortnightly Club to act as members of the first Salem Public Library Board.
The library continued to grow and moved to its second location, a former Episcopal Church, in October 1936. By September of 2015, Salem Public Library moved to its third and current location, the former US Bank building. This larger facility offers many more opportunities to provide public library programs, resources and services to Salem and surrounding citizens.