Jackson County Library

In 1882 a group of interested citizens of the Village of Jackson met to draw up a constitution and bylaws for the Jackson Library Association. In 1885, the library association offered to turn the library over to the village council. The council accepted the offer and levied a tax of ½ mill for the library. In 1883 bylaws were written, which included “a fine rate of $.04 a day shall be paid on each book not returned within the specified time”. A librarian was hired in 1885 and was paid $25.00 per year. The report of 1886 showed 146 books in the library and $.75 in the library fund.

In 1901 a petition was signed by 47 businessmen requesting the mayor and the village council provide a suitable room to be used for a library, which would include a reading area, rest room and to be located on a ground floor and open every day. Up until this time the library was in the home or business place of the “librarian” or keeper of the books. In 1906 the council gave the west room on the second floor of Jackson’s first school building, then being used as city hall, to be used as a library. This building was located on Sherman Street where the present Jackson County Welfare building now stands.

Over the years a library board was appointed; the mill rate was raised, and work by all members of the community brought about the library’s growth. The Woman’s Club, in particular, through the oyster suppers, rummage sales, teas given in homes, and bake sales helped to furnish the tables and chairs, the shelving, book cart, and checkout desk. A costume party was held in the library and the money was used to buy the statue of Longfellow and the pedestal, both of which remain in the library today. Records showed that the circulation had increased to 21,402 by 1951.

The library had many “homes” but finally settled in the armory on Third Street from 1922 until 1962. In 1958 the question of a county library had come up for consideration to be submitted in the November 4th election, an arrangement recommended by the State Director of Libraries. Although the library board favored the system, the county commissioners rejected it. In 1962 the library was moved across the street into a city building, which now serves as the Fire hall.

In 1976, on the recommendation of the city library board, The Jackson City Council agreed to participate in the Plum Creek Library System. At this time the Jackson Public Library also became a part of the Jackson County Library system, which houses libraries also in Lakefield and Heron Lake. City and county tax monies pay for the staff, books and other materials, and equipment.

The Jackson Public Library moved to a newly constructed library building in 1981. The library was built using money willed to the city by William and Henry Wrede, Dr. and Mrs. E.C. Dymond and Dorothy Fiddes. The library is open and airy with suspended beam ceilings.

In 2014, the Jackson City Council approved a library grant application and committed $570,000 in city funds to the renovation and expansion of the Jackson library. The amount represents matching funds required for the appropriation of $570,000 in state bonding funds secured by local legislators on Jackson’s behalf.

The renovation and expansion took place in 2015 with completion in 2016.