| Eugene Public Library | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Established | 1898[1] |
| Location | 100 West 10th, Eugene, Oregon |
| Branches | 2 (Bethel, Sheldon) |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audio books[2] |
| Size | 400,000[2] |
| Access and use | |
| Access requirements | Library card[3] |
| Population served | 150,000 (Eugene)[2] |
| Website | www.eugene-or.gov/library |
The Eugene Public Library is a municipal public library in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It has been in three different buildings since 1898.
Contents |
In 1898 the library was established as a small private library in Eugene. It became a public City of Eugene service in 1904 and opened two years later, holding roughly 1,500 books.[1] Then, in 1959, a new library building opened at the corner of 13th and Olive,[1] where the previous one was torn down.[4] This remained the main library building until it was moved to its current location at 10th and Charnelton in 2002. At this time, the library already had two branches, Bethel (West Eugene) and Sheldon (Cal Young neighborhood), that had opened in 2000.[1]
In 2003 the new library building won first place in the American Institute of Architects of Southwest Oregon's public architecture awards.[5] The library was also recognized when it obtained $1.1 million as a gift from a late Eugene doctor in 2009.[6]
The library's latest building and its underground parking garage have been described as "energy efficient, low maintenance, and filled with daylight."[7] The new building is four times larger than the older one.[8]
The number of members of the library increased heavily after the new building opened, most likely because of the economic downturn.[9] In addition, its collection of items has had a net increase since 2005, as well as its circulation and visits.[10]