About Us

The Fairbank Public Library was founded in 1960 as a project of the Fairbank Tourist Club.

The Fairbank Corn Show had been discontinued, and the money that was left in the account was used to establish the library.  The original library was located in the front section of the Legion Hall building on Main Street.

In March, 1964, the library became affiliated with  the Cooperative Library System.  Approximately 3 to 4 times a year about 300 reference books were rotated among the participating facilities.  This system worked extremely well for the smaller facilities due to a limited budget, and the books were provided by this service at no cost.

The library was originally staffed by Tourist Club volunteers.  Later, Mrs. Coralene Lehmkuhl became the first librarian, followed by Allie B. Cowlishaw.  

In 1980 the library was moved from the Legion Hall to a newly constructed building a block away.  This building was built much in the same was as the fire station, city hall, health clinic; with volunteer labor and community donations.  The library, along with all the municipal buildings, remains an example of the spirit of the Fairbank Community!