Specialties
The mission of the Willows Public Library is to encourage personal growth and contribute to the development and sustainability of an engaged community through free access to ideas, information, cultural experiences and educational opportunities. We provide books, magazines, dvds, audiobooks, e-books, Zip books, youth programs, literacy programs, computer access, Chromebooks, connectivity kits, California State Parks Pass, explorer backpacks, Telescopes, Activity theme kits, wi-fi, 3-D printer, interlibrary loan, Microfilm, and reference services for the public. We also offer digital resources, such as Palace and Libby for E-books and audiobooks, Kanopy for movie streaming, ABC Mouse to use free in the library, The New York Times Online, Scholastic Learn at Home, Scholastic Home Base, TeachingBooks, Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow, Gale Resources, free online tutoring, Coursera, Northstar, Skillshare, Getsetup, and EBSCO Learning Express
History
Established in 1910.
The need for a public library in the growing town had become so apparent that on January 24th, 1906, a group of enterprising women met in the parlors of the Crawford Hotel where Mrs. Ben Geis presented a plan to establish a free reading room and Library. Within two weeks, $1,001.05 had been subscribed. The Newman Building was rented for $25 a month, books and furnishings were purchased and Miss Ada Knock was hired as librarian with a monthly salary of $16. Four years later they applied for and received $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic funds to build a permanent library building for the City of Willows. The Classical Revival “temple” style building still stands at 336 W. Walnut St. and is now home to The Museum of Willows. The Willows Public Library eventually outgrew the building and in 1969 moved to its current home in the civic center on N. Lassen St. For one hundred and thirteen years, the library has been proud to educated and serve our community free of charge.