History of the Library

Historical Photos

From the library's archives, view photos from the earliest library in Eau Claire located in the Putnam and Ingram Buildings to our present location.

Historical Annual Reports

Annual reporting of the library's collection, its Board members, annual circulation data and more from the library's archives, 1896 to the present.

Board Minutes 1894 – 1911

Library Board minutes from 1894 - 1911

Current Building

In August, 1973, John Morris, president of the Library Board, presented to the City Council a request to authorize hiring an architect to draw plans for a new library.

The Early Years

On December 28, 1859, a group of men met at the home of Dr. David H. Ketchum and formed a library association with an election of trustees that included Thomas Barland. The first librarian was Henry C. Putnam.

Board Minutes 1912 – 1924

Library Board minutes from 1912-1924

Library Speaks

Scripts from a weekly radio program, "The Library Speaks" broadcast on WEAU radio in 1938.