Beginnings
Reverend W. G. Brandstetter started a library as a children’s summer project at the Central Presbyterian Church. When he asked Mrs. Inez McFee to take over the project, she agreed so long as it would be a public library organized according to modern standards. Mrs. McFee, a former teacher and the author of 16 books, knew all about those standards.
As president of the library board and chair of the building committee, Mrs. McFee led the Library through its fast-paced early years. The Library was open two afternoons a week and quickly turned into a beehive of activity. In the first six months they accessioned hundreds of books, sponsored one event after another, and were loaning out over 200 books a week. The Library was continuously in the news, and in time the board managed to convince the townspeople that the Library was worthy of their support. In 1926, the group raised $3,000, and in 1927 they built a new library at 118 Johnson Street.
The years that followed were not easy. The Library was in debt when the Great Depression hit, and library supporters had to struggle through the 1930s just to keep it open.
1940s-1960s
Beginning in the 1940s the situation improved. In 1940-43, the federal government provided funds to staff the Library. In 1941, the Library became part of the Washington County Library System, greatly expanding the numbers of books available to Springdale readers. In 1944, Springdale passed a one-mill voluntary tax to support the Library. In 1948, Washington County voters approved a one-mill library tax.
In 1963, a city bond issue included $75,000 for a new library building which, with the help of a federal grant, was completed in 1966.
1980s-2000
In 1985, an expansion was added that honored Pat and Willard Walker.
In 1999-2000, the facility was doubled in size to 43,000 square feet.
Today, the Springdale Public Library is a state-of-the-art public library providing the community with books, audio visual materials, online research resources, computers and Internet access, as well as a full range of programming for all ages. The Library is open seven days a week, checks out approximately 1,900 items per day, and more than 1,500 people visit the facility daily.
