HISTORY

In 1908, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union established a Public Reading Room in the home of Mrs. Mary L. Boal, pictured at right. The Public Reading Room would eventually evolve into the Cooperstown Public Library, with the establishment of the Cooperstown Public Library Association in 1908.

In 1923 Mrs. Mary L. Boal, pictured at right, willed her home to the Cooperstown Public Library Association as a permanent home for the library.  Mrs. Boal was a Charter Member of the Association and one of it’s most interested friends.  The deed for the property was formally transferred to the Association by Mrs. Emma Rice.  A one dollar consideration was paid and the deed accepted by the Association and in due time was recorded.

The library moved to its current location at 182 North Main Street in June of 1988.

Beginning 2018, Cooperstown Public Library became the second branch of the Oil Region Library Association, bringing all three public libraries in Venango County under the same organization (see ORLA history).