History

The newest addition to the regional system family of libraries is the Boonville Community Library. The library began operation with an all volunteer staff provided by the Friends of the Library group in January 1999. Two small rooms in the Boonville Town Hall building were donated for library use.

On September 15, 1999, two permanent staff members were hired to cover the twenty-hour week operating schedule. The library now operates thirty-six hours a week with a paid staff of four and volunteer hours provided by the Friends of the Library.

In June 2003, a new 3,000 square foot building was opened to the citizens of Boonville. The Town of Boonville borrowed $75,000 through a USDA loan to supplement the $250,000 raised by the Friends of the Boonville Library. The land on which the library resides was given by Mrs. Frieda Speer. In addition to raising funds, fifteen volunteers continue to give their time to the library by working at the library and arranging patron collections to be displayed in the display case.