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.
Our History
The original Willows Public Library Carnegie building, now home to The Museum of Willows.
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.
“The Elizabeth Eubank Memorial Room in the Library of the Willows Civic Center Complex was dedicated January 18, 1970. The ceremony was sponsored by the Friends of the Willows Public Library and the Willows Library Board of Trustees, with members of the Colusi County Historical Society assisting. Miss Eubank, Willows Librarian for 40 years, did not live to see the new library constructed although it had been one of her dreams. the memorial room, named in her honor, will house the 400- volume collection of California history she collected during her tenure as librarian. Librarian Bonnie Arbogast said “It is appropriate that in this 200th anniversary of Califonia, we now have a place to house the collection of California History. Elizabeth Eubank has laid the foundation. Let’s build on that foundation and use the Library.” Born in Texas in 1879 to the Rev. and Mrs. J. C. Eubank, Miss Eubank came to California in 1910. She became Willows librarian in 1920, holding the position until 1962 when ill health forced her to retire. She died in Downey in 1966 at the age of 87. Miss Eubank organized the Great Book Discussion Group in 1949. Mrs. O’Malley recalled it was “One of the first in the state, it is now the oldest continuous group in the state.” “The Librarian loved children and nature. She started Christmas candle lighting services and wanted this to be an annual tradition in willows.” Mrs. O’Malley continued to list Elizabeth Eubanks Accomplishments,: “ She preserved the Will S. Green ”History of Colusa County” by having it reproduced in a special reprint for the California Centennial Celebration, in 1950. In 1948, she published a Glenn County Directory. Both books are a part of the Californiana collection of more than 400 volumes on display in a special case in the room for use by researchers on the premise; but are not for circulation. The painting commissioned by the Friends of the Library, was paid for by public subscription. Smith, a well-known artist, makes his own paints and uses the same technique as the old Flemish masters. Councilman E. J. Saal served as master of ceremonies.” Picture and information courtesy of the Wagon Wheels 1970
An inside look at the Willows Public Library
Our Staff
Christine Watson City Librarian
Kevin Myers Support
Works Cited
Baker Sima, Ewing Florence. The Glenn County Story: Days Past and Present. Willows, Calif., Glenn County School Office, 1968.
Wright, JoAnn, Whisman, Evelyn. Willows. Museum Society of Willows. Arcadia Pub., c2010.
Willows Public Library 