Mission Statement: The Williams County Public Library exists to enhance and enrich the lives of all citizens of the county through accessible and broad information services.

Serving the County: The Williams County Public Library serves the citizens of the county through our six library locations. We also offer outreach services to area schools, nursing homes, retirement villages, and hospitals.

1892 Collection moved to one room in the courthouse.

1903 Andrew Carnegie gives $10,000 towards construction of a new building for a free public library, with a stipulation of an annuity of $1000 from the community. A group opposed the gift, based on the high cost involved. Estimates for maintenance were at $50 per month. The Board of Education of the Bryan School District raised a one mil levy. Library becomes a school district library. On October 23, 1903 the cornerstone was laid.
Click here to read a related newspaper article from March 1903.

1904 Dedication and opening of the Carnegie building on December 20th. On the shelves, a collection of 3,500 volumes.

1936 Library expands and becomes county wide, with 15 locations: Ainger, Alvordton, Blakeslee, Bridgewater, Columbia, Cooney, Edgerton, Edon, Kunkle, Melbern, Pioneer, Pulaski, Stryker, West Unity, and Williams Center. As general stores closed and transportation and roads improved, many of the smaller drop-off stations were eliminated. Five locations were retained as branches.

1956 Population growth as well as interest in the library, indicated a need for expansion. Extensive remodeling was made possible by a bequest from Judge C.L. Newcomer. Judge Newcomer had served on the library's Board of Trustees for 35 years.

A 30 X 32 foot two story block was added with new heating, air conditioning, lighting, plumbing, flooring, and interior decorating. A small electrical lift was installed to move books between the floors. Project was completed and dedicated on March 28th, 1957.

1960 J.C. Markey offers a $50,000 matching grant to the community for a children’s library. The community raises nearly $68,000 with Mr. Markey matching that total.

1963 The Ruth Edwards Markey Children’s Library is dedicated on May 23rd.

1982 100th year anniversary is celebrated.

1988 A new Edgerton Branch Library is dedicated.

1989 A new Pioneer Branch Library is dedicated.

1991 A new Edon Branch Library is dedicated.

1993 30th anniversary of the Ruth Edwards Markey Children’s Library is celebrated.

1994 A new West Unity Branch Library is dedicated.

1996 A new Stryker Branch Library is dedicated.

1997 Bryan Public Library changes it's name to Williams County Public Library, and incorporates branches. Now becoming a county library, separated from Bryan City Schools, members of the Library Board of Trustees are appointed by the County Commissioners.

1998 Automation of the library holdings and card catalog system is launched, sharing with SEO (South Eastern Ohio Consortium - later to become knows as Serving Every Ohioan). Over 5 million titles are available to citizens of Williams County and surrounding areas.

1998 First issue of The Open Book is published and distributed to the public in the Bryan Times.

2003 Library celebrates the 100th year of the Carnegie Building, now part of the Main library in Bryan.

2004 The library passes its first levy with the support of the County.  The additional funds will help with library operations and expansion.

2006 The library acquires the building on the northeast corner of Main and High Streets with a grant from the Bryan Area Foundation.  The West Annex currently houses the administrative offices, a computer lab, and future plans include moving the Local History & Genealogy Department to its first floor.

2008 The Edon Friends of the Library build a new Edon Branch Library with monetary and material donations from the community.  The new building is dedicated in August.

2008 Building renovations begin in August on the West Annex first floor to house the new Local History & Genealogy Department.

2009 The library faces large reductions in funding due to decreasing tax revenues and State budget cuts.  Service hours, programming, and library employees are cut.