# State Library of Oregon > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/State_Library_of_Oregon > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/State_Library_of_Oregon.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Library_of_Oregon > Source revision: 1356321653 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Library in Salem, Oregon, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}} {{About|the State Library of Oregon in Salem, Oregon|the library at [Oregon State University](/source/Oregon_State_University)|Valley Library}} {{Infobox library | name = State Library of Oregon | logo = State Library of Oregon logo.svg | coordinates = {{Coord|44.939863|-123.030868|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}} | location = [Salem, Oregon](/source/Salem%2C_Oregon) | established = {{Start date and age|1905}} | num_branches = 1 | collection_size = | annual_circulation = | pop_served = | members = | budget = $7,184,308 | leader_title = Oregon State Librarian | leader_name = Wendy Cornelisen | num_employees = 41 | website = {{URL|oregon.gov/library}} | service_area = [Oregon](/source/Oregon) | public_transit = [Cherriots](/source/Cherriots) }} The '''State Library of Oregon''' is the library for the [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) of [Oregon](/source/Oregon), located directly northwest of the [Oregon State Capitol](/source/Oregon_State_Capitol) in [Salem](/source/Salem%2C_Oregon). Its mission is to provide leadership and resources to continue growing vibrant library services for Oregonians with [print disabilities](/source/print_disabilities), the [Legislature](/source/Oregon_Legislature) and [state government](/source/Government_of_Oregon), and all Oregonians through local libraries. == History == The Territorial Library was first housed in the Territorial Capitol Building, which [burned down in 1855](/source/Oregon_State_Capitol) with most of the library collection lost to the fire.''First State House''. Oregon State Capitol, R HMC-1111 ([Salem Public Library](/source/Salem_Public_Library_(Oregon))) The library collection was lost again in 1889, when a storm blew the roof off of the new Capitol building.{{Cite web |last=Shumway |first=Julia |date=2022-06-23 |title=Oregon's State Library added to National Register of Historic Places |url=https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/oregons-state-library-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/ |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Oregon Capital Chronicle |language=en-US}} The Oregon State Library was established as the Oregon Library Commission in 1905. The original mission of the Library was to establish public and school libraries throughout Oregon. [Cornelia Marvin](/source/Cornelia_Marvin) came to Oregon from the Wisconsin Free Library Commission to direct the commission, and later became the first State Librarian.[https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/pierce_cornelia_marvin_1873_1957_/ Oregon Encyclopedia] Soon the State Library was also providing information to state government agencies and collecting and preserving the publications of state agencies. From 1913, prior to the completion of a stand-alone building in 1939, the State Library was located in the basement and first floor of the [Oregon Supreme Court Building](/source/Oregon_Supreme_Court_Building).[http://www.osbar.org/publications/bulletin/03june/heritage.html OSB Bulletin Magazine: June 2003] This building and the Oregon State Capitol were connected by tunnels used for heating and electricity. [The fire that destroyed the capitol in 1935](/source/Oregon_State_Capitol) also caused damage to the library collections when the water used to fight the fire drained into the basement. Work on the current State Library building began in February 1928, funded by $450,000 from the [Public Works Administration](/source/Public_Works_Administration). In 1969, the Library took over [Talking Book](/source/Books_for_the_Blind) and [Braille](/source/Braille) library services for blind and print-disabled Oregonians, which had previously been handled by the [Multnomah County Library](/source/Multnomah_County_Library) in [Portland](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon).{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-06-17 |title=Fifty Years of Oregon’s Talking Book and Braille Library |url=https://www.myoregon.gov/2019/06/17/fifty-years-of-oregons-talking-book-and-braille-library/ |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=My Oregon News |publisher=State Library of Oregon |language=en-US}} === State Librarians === The current State Librarian is Wendy Cornelisen. Past State Librarians include Jennifer Patterson, MaryKay Dahlgreen, Jim Scheppke, Wesley Doak, Marcia Lowell, Eloise Ebert, Eleanor Stephens, Harriet Long, [Virginia Bacon](/source/Virginia_Bacon), and Cornelia Marvin. == Operations == The State Library provides information services to over 37,000 state government employees, circulates library materials in audio and Braille format to about 5,200 blind and print-disabled Oregonians, and provides grants and assistance to help develop and improve local library services and to foster greater cooperation among all of Oregon's libraries. The library is also a regional depository for the [Federal Depository Library Program](/source/Federal_Depository_Library_Program).{{cite web|title=Oregon|url=http://catalog.gpo.gov/fdlpdir/FDLPdir.jsp?flag=searchp&st_12=OR|work=Federal Library Directory|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|access-date=August 16, 2012}} Since its founding, the State Library has been governed by an independent State Library Board consisting of nine members from throughout the state who are appointed by the [governor](/source/Governor_of_Oregon) and confirmed by the [Senate](/source/Oregon_State_Senate) to serve four-year terms. The director of the State Library is the State Librarian, who is responsible for leading employees of the State Library to fulfill the goals set by the Governor, Oregon Legislature, and State Library Board, while also serving as the Secretary for the State Library Board.{{Cite report |url=https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/Documents/StateLibrarianRole.pdf |title=Role and Responsibility of the State Library Board |date=2018-08-31 |access-date=2025-11-01}} The board had the power to appoint the State Librarian until 2017, when this authority was given to the [governor of Oregon](/source/governor_of_Oregon) as a result of Oregon House Bill 3523, which was passed in 2015 by the [78th Oregon Legislative Assembly](/source/78th_Oregon_Legislative_Assembly).{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/pages/history.aspx |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=State Library of Oregon}}{{Cite web |last=Shierman |first=Eric |date=2018-03-16 |title=The Mysterious Demise of our State Librarian |url=https://oregoncatalyst.com/41386-mysterious-demise-state-librarian.html |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Oregon Catalyst |language=en-US}} The State Librarian is also [ex officio member](/source/ex_officio_member) of the [Oregon Library Association](/source/Oregon_Library_Association) Board.{{Cite web |title=What federal cuts would mean for the State Library of Oregon |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/15/think-out-loud-oregon-state-libraries-federal-funding/ |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=opb |language=en}} The current State Librarian is Wendy Cornelisen, who has been in the position since 2022.{{Cite web |title=Oregon |url=http://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grants-state/state-profiles/oregon |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=www.imls.gov |language=en}}{{Cite press release |title=Connections: Your Link to the State Library of Oregon |date=March 2022 |publisher=State Library of Oregon |url=https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/Documents/Newsletters/202203ConnectionsVolume32Issue3.pdf |language=en-US |via=oregon.gov |access-date=2025-11-01}} The current board members are Anne-Marie Dietering, Heather Estrada, Nikotris Lewis, Ann Malkin, Jim Portillo, Tina Roberts, Ben Tate, Sachi Weerawardena, and Greg Williams.{{Cite web |title=State Library Board |url=https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/pages/library-board.aspx |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=www.oregon.gov}} == Building and location == The State Library building is located at the corner of Winter Street and Court Street in downtown Salem. It is connected to the Oregon State Capitol Park, and paths lead northeast to the Oregon Labor and Industries building and east across the park to the building that houses the office of the [Oregon Secretary of State](/source/Oregon_Secretary_of_State) and formerly housed the [Oregon Chief Education Office](/source/Oregon_Chief_Education_Office). The [Wall of Water](/source/Wall_of_Water) fountain is directly to the southeast at the edge of the park, and the [Fallen Worker Memorial](/source/Fallen_Worker_Memorial) and [Sprague Fountain](/source/Sprague_Fountain) are to the northeast. [St. Joseph's Catholic Church](/source/St._Joseph's_Catholic_Church_(Salem%2C_Oregon)) is to the northwest on the other side of Winter Street. The State Capitol building is across Court Street to the south, and in the State Capitol park directly to the southwest of the State Library are the [Walk of Flags](/source/Walk_of_Flags), [Capitol Beaver Family](/source/Capitol_Beaver_Family), and [Liberty Bell](/source/Liberty_Bell_(Oregon_State_Capitol)).{{Cite Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/State+Library+of+Oregon,+250+Winter+St+NE,+Salem,+OR+97301/@44.9405121,-123.0307906,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x54bfff1233a0d435:0x331b6ec368b4c056!8m2!3d44.939859!4d-123.030855|access-date=2025-11-01}} The current State Library building was dedicated in 1939. It was the first building to be constructed on what is today known as the Capitol Mall, and was completed only two years after the dedication of the Oregon State Capitol in 1937. The State Library Building was extensively renovated in the 1990s. It was listed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 2022.{{NRHPweekly}} == Gallery == {{Gallery | File:Oregon State Library above.JPG | Aerial view, south side of the building, 2008 | class1= | alt1= | File:Oregon State Library, Capitol Mall, Salem - DPLA - 032401c88611220a7823373e0ab41f16.jpg | The historic front doors on the East side of the building, viewed from the Oregon State Capitol Park, 2014 | class2= | alt2= | File:OSLinside.JPG | A card catalog at the library | class3= | alt3= | File:Oregon State Library, Salem - DPLA - e23520907f76fe6d27dc2ba900838b49.jpg | The reference room, 2006 | class4= | alt4= | | | class5= | alt5= }} == See also == {{Portal|Oregon}} * [List of libraries in Oregon](/source/List_of_libraries_in_Oregon) * [List of libraries in the United States](/source/List_of_libraries_in_the_United_States) * [List of national and state libraries](/source/List_of_national_and_state_libraries) * [Mark O. Hatfield Library](/source/Mark_O._Hatfield_Library) * [Oregon Battle of the Books](/source/Oregon_Battle_of_the_Books) * [Oregon Historical Society](/source/Oregon_Historical_Society) * [Oregon Library Association](/source/Oregon_Library_Association) * [Parish L. Willis](/source/Parish_L._Willis) * [Salem Public Library (Oregon)](/source/Salem_Public_Library_(Oregon)) * [Willamette Heritage Center](/source/Willamette_Heritage_Center) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{Sister project links|auto=y}} * {{Official website}} * {{Oregon Encyclopedia|oregon_state_library}} * [http://www.salemhistory.net/places/state_library.htm Salem Online History: State Library] * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718191301if_/http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/publications/OG/OGv63n02.pdf Oregon Geology: Library renovation]}} * [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ohq/107.1/scheppke.html The Origins of the Oregon State Library] * {{Oregon Encyclopedia|oregon_territorial_library|Oregon Territorial Library|author=Scheppke, Jim}} * {{cite web | title = Oregon State Library – Administrative Overview | work = Oregon Blue Book (Online) | publisher = Salem, Oregon: Oregon Secretary of State | year = 2003 | url = http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/7589716 | access-date = July 19, 2012}} {{US state libraries}} {{Libraries in US}} {{Authority control}} Category:1905 establishments in Oregon Category:Buildings and structures in Salem, Oregon Category:Culture of Salem, Oregon Category:United States federal depository libraries Category:Government agencies established in 1905 Category:Libraries in Oregon Category:Library buildings completed in 1939 Library, Oregon State Category:State libraries of the United States Category:Works Progress Administration in Oregon Category:Libraries established in 1905 Category:National Register of Historic Places in Marion County, Oregon Category:Organizations based in Salem, Oregon --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [State Library of Oregon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Library_of_Oregon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Library_of_Oregon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.