Putnam County District Library

The Putnam County District Library has been serving residents of Putnam County for more than 85 years!

After several attempts at establishing a library beginning as early as 1896, the first county public library was founded on February 12, 1924 through the efforts of Maizie Frey.  This library was housed in an anteroom in the Putnam County Courthouse in Ottawa, and was opened three days a week and story hours were held each Saturday afternoon.  In 1928 the library had outgrown its present location and moved to a new room on the main floor of the courthouse. The library became officially known as the Putnam County Library Association in 1930 and remained in the courthouse until it was relocated in 1934 to a residence on the corner of Main and South Locust Streets. In this new location the library had a separate Reading Room, Children's Room, and began its Local History Collection.  By 1948, the library became officially known as the Putnam County District Library and as the public demand for library services grew, a new library was constructed in 1986. The library remained on North Thomas Street  until August 2007, when a flood devistating much of Ottawa including the library, took place. The library is currently being housed at the Putnam County Educational Service Center until a new library can be completed. The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new library was held on Friday, April 9, 2010. The Grand Opening of the new library building in Ottawa was held on March 12, 2011.