Library Timeline

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Library sketch

Most notable historical events for the Newberg Public Library

  • May 26,1908: Newberg Library opens in the YMCA building downtown.
  • April 1911: Andrew Carnegie bestows a grant to the city and construction begins on library building (October 1911).
  • April 17, 1911: Newberg Carnegie Library Association formed.
  • March 29, 1912: New Carnegie library building is dedicated with approximately 1000 books on the shelves. Miss Margaret Inglis is the first Librarian.
  • 1934: Library books are catalogued for the first time.
  • February 5, 1970: Library phone number becomes listed in the phonebook. Patrons can now renew their books by phone!
  • August 14, 1972: Library installs a coin-operated copy machine.
  • June 27, 1974: Newberg Public Library joins Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service (CCRLS) in order to share resources with other libraries in Yamhill, Polk, and Marion Counties.
  • August 14, 1975: New Bradshaw Children’s Library opens in the Carnegie Library basement.
  • November 8, 1983: A levy is passed to expand the Carnegie building. The Library Friends are formed at this time, with their first efforts to support the levy.
  • February 15, 1986: Expanded Library building dedicated.
  • January 1988: Newberg Public Library ditches the old card catalog for a new computerized catalogue and check-out system!
  • October 1991: The Library Foundation is formed to support the Newberg Public Library.
  • 2000: The library begins using e-mail to send overdue and hold notices.
  • May 26, 2008: Newberg Public Library celebrates 100 years of library service!
  • March 2012: The centennial of the Carnegie Library is celebrated.
  • March 2015: Children’s Library expansion is celebrated, 1,200 sq feet from the unfinished basement is added to the children’s room and completely paid for with grants and gifts.
  • 2020: In the midst of the Covid pandemic the library was repeatedly forced to close and re-open.
  • 2024: The Newberg Public Library goes FINE FREE!
Head Librarians/Directors since 1908:
  • Margaret Inglis: 1908-1912
  • Mina Langton: 1913-1920
  • Jennie Miller: 1920-1945
  • Nellie Chamberlain: 1945-1946
  • Dorothy Hoch:1946-1966
  • Mildred Renne: 1966-1980
  • Doreen Turpen: 1980-1991
  • Leah Griffith: 1992-2019
  • Will Worthey: 2019-2022
  • Korie Buerkle: 2022-present