Library History
The story of the Paw Paw District Library began on January 25, 1917, when local newspapers announced that Mrs. Florence Harvey had offered the private collection of her late husband, Reverend E. H. Harvey, to help start a public library. Her generous gift came with a vision: the Village would provide a building and ongoing support for library service.
Soon after, the Coterie Club—a local women’s organization devoted to cultural and educational enrichment—donated its own lending library. Another community member, Mrs. Caroline Sellick, pledged $3,000 in memory of her husband, William J. Sellick, to purchase land for the new library.
Inspired by these acts of generosity, the Paw Paw Village Council applied for a grant from the Carnegie Library Foundation Fund, established by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, whose philanthropy helped build 1,681 libraries across the United States. In April 1917, Paw Paw received one of the final Carnegie grants—$10,000—and voters approved an additional $4,500 bond for construction and an annual $1,450 for library service.
A site was selected at 129 South Kalamazoo Street, but World War I delayed progress. Finally, on June 25, 1920, the Paw Paw Library opened its doors. Clara Rennie, a Coterie Club member, served as the library’s first librarian.
For 71 years, the Carnegie building served as the Library’s home. By the 1950s, the small structure was bursting at the seams. Shelves were overcrowded, and there was little room for programs or parking. Over the next three decades, library leaders explored options to expand or build anew but were unable to secure funding.
A turning point came in August 1987, when voters approved the creation of a special library district, providing reliable funding for growth. Three years later, in 1990, the Library moved into a renovated office building at 609 West Michigan Avenue—three times the size of the original Carnegie library and with ample parking.
The new location, conveniently close to the middle school, quickly became a popular after-school destination. Public computers drew even more visitors, and by 2010, the Library was once again running out of space. With the help of the Friends of the Library and community supporters, a capital campaign—Beyond Books—was launched to fund a new facility.
In 2012, construction was completed on a new LEED-certified library at the same location. The 16,000-square-foot building features energy-efficient design, native prairie landscaping, a local history room, quiet study spaces, and a large community meeting room.
Continuing to evolve, the Library eliminated overdue fines in 2019 to make materials more accessible for everyone. That same year, the Library Board purchased the neighboring Soapy’s Car Wash property and turned it into open green space. In the spring of 2026, this area will be transformed into a multi-use outdoor space featuring a pavilion, mini-amphitheater, and walking paths.
For over 100 years, the Paw Paw District Library has offered the community a welcoming space for learning, creativity, and connection. We are proud of our history and committed to serving Paw Paw’s residents for generations to come.
