Northwestern Regional Library System

History

The Mount Airy Public Library had its beginning when the Woman's Club enlisted support of other civic groups in holding a pubic meeting at the Grand Theatre on February 23, 1930. February 23-28 was proclaimed Library Week, with a fund drive conducted by the women. The Woman's Club contributed the first $100.00 and offered two rooms in the club as quarters for the library. On May 6, 1930 the library officially opened with a book collection of over 2,000 titles.

In 1962, the library became a member of the Northwestern Library Regional system.

In 1971, the library moved to a large fifteen room house willed by Mrs. E.H. Kochtitzky. Community volunteers formed a sidewalk caravan and moved the contents of the old library on Rockford Street to its new home on West Pine Street.

In March 1981, ground was broken for the present 13,750 square foot passive solar library building on Rockford Street across from the original library site. The formal dedication and opening for this building was held on May 16, 1982.

In 1993, the library began using an automated circulation system and provided internet access for the public in 1998.

In April 2001, the Mount Airy Public Library, as a member of the Northwestern Regional Library installed the SIRSI Unicorn online automated system to continue improving services to the public.