Jump to content

Columbia Public Library

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Columbia Public Library
North side of Columbia Public Library
North side of Columbia Public Library
Map
TypePublic library system
Established1922 (CPL), 1954 (DBRL)
Service areaColumbia, Missouri and surrounding towns
Access and use
Circulation2,110,378 (2021)[1]
Other information
Public transit accessBus transport Go COMO
Websitewww.dbrl.org

The Columbia Public Library (CPL) is the public library of Columbia, Missouri, and was established as a tax-funded library in 1922.[2] It is the headquarters of the Daniel Boone Regional Library system (DBRL), which serves Columbia and the surrounding areas.[3][4]

Columbia Library interior

The library was demolished and reconstructed at its current location on Garth and Broadway in 2002.[5] The Columbia Library District merged with the Boone County Library District in 2017.[6] In 2023, Columbia Public Library had 367,482 visits and a circulation of 1,397,283.[7]

Prior to receiving tax support, the library ran on donations and moved across numerous downtown locations.[8] Soon after the Tuesday Club organized in 1899 as a women's literary and culture society, they helped establish, stock, and run a free public library in Columbia.[8] The community narrowly voted down a library tax levy in 1917,[9] but in 1922, the library tax levy won 75% of the vote.[10] 1922 was notably the first chance Columbia women had the right to vote on the issue.

Daniel Boone Regional Library

[edit]

The Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) system was established in 1959 as a joining of the Boone, Howard, and Callaway county libraries with the Columbia Public Library.[11] In 2023, DBRL had a cumulative circulation of 2,847,389, including ebooks, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines.[7]

The Daniel Boone Regional Library system has the following branches:

  • Columbia Public Library - 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203
  • Callaway County Public Library - 710 Court St., Fulton, MO 65251
  • Holts Summit Public Library - 188 W. Simon Blvd., Holts Summit, MO 65043
  • Southern Boone County Public Library - 109 N. Main St., Ashland, MO 65010

The system also has three bookmobiles. The largest bookmobile regularly stops in Auxvasse, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Rocheport, and Sturgeon.[12]

Overdue Fines

[edit]

CPL experimented with eliminating overdue fines starting July, 1961 for a six-month trial period.[13] The Board of Trustees voted to continue the practice permanently, and the positive results prompted the Board to extend the practice to the Fulton Public Library in 1962.[14] It was common for public libraries around the United States to forgive fines for a brief amnesty period, but the practice of discontinuing late fees did not catch on more widely until the 2010s.[15]

Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United

[edit]

In May 2022, DBRL employees voted 101 – 55 to form Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United (DBRLWU), AFSCME Local 3311, AFSCME Council 61.[16] This is the first active library workers' union in Missouri.[17] DBRL ratified their first contract in December 2023.[18]

See Also

[edit]

The Urban Libraries Council's Fine Free Libraries Map.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Service Report - Dec 2021: Daniel Boone Regional Library" (PDF). Daniel Boone Regional Library. Dec 2021.
  2. ^ Jagtiani, Jayden (2022-02-23). "Daniel Boone Regional Library celebrates 100 years in service". KOMU. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  3. ^ "About Us - Daniel Boone Regional Library".
  4. ^ The service area and locations of the Daniel Boone Regional Library (Map). June 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "60 Years of Change at DBRL". Daniel Boone Regional Library. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  6. ^ McKinney, Roger. "Columbia, Boone County library boards approve plan to merge". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  7. ^ a b "Service Report - Dec 2023 - Daniel Boone Regional Library" (PDF). Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Columbia Public Library Centennial Timeline". Daniel Boone Regional Library. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  9. ^ "Library Levy Fails; School Tax Carries". The Daily Missourian. April 4, 1917. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Results of Yesterday's City Election". Columbia Evening Missourian. April 5, 1922. p. 1.
  11. ^ JUNG, ALISON (30 July 2009). "Daniel Boone Regional Library celebrates 50th anniversary". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  12. ^ "Bookmobile Stops – Daniel Boone Regional Library". Daniel Boone Regional Library. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  13. ^ "Your Public Library: Overdue Books Bring No Fine". Columbia Missourian. July 2, 1961. p. 4.
  14. ^ "The Bookshelf". Fulton Daily Sun-Gazette. January 10, 1962. p. 4.
  15. ^ "The End of Overdue Fines? - Public Libraries Online". Public Libraries Online - A Publication of the Public Library Association. 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  16. ^ Goldstein, Adam (23 May 2022). "Daniel Boone Regional Library workers vote to unionize". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  17. ^ "First Library Union in the State of Missouri – Library Worklife". Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  18. ^ Kaminski, Mitchell (2023-12-20). "DBRL Board approves agreement with union after initially asking for amendment on wages". ABC17NEWS. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Columbia_Public_Library&oldid=1212500340"