History of the Woodlake Branch Library

Six Woodlake residents petitioned the County for a library deposit station in 1911, and a station with 50 books, was placed in John Day’s Post Office and store in December, 1911. John Day was the custodian.

Between 1913 and 1920 it was moved to the Schelling Drug Store, the Woodlake school, Mrs. Gordon Day’s house, back to Day’s Store and to Blair’s Store.

Then, in 1920, Mr. J.G. Ropes was appointed custodian and the library moved to his newspaper office (The Echo) and telephone exchange.

In 1942 more space was required and the library branch moved to a building owned by Roy Davis where there was enough space for a reading room.

Mrs. Bertha Ragle became the librarian in 1951 and retired in 1971.

In 1952, the Woodlake Branch had 4,000 books and the circulation was almost 20,000 books for the year.
Plans to build a new library for the high school were discussed in the early 1960’s, but a lack of funds made it impossible to construct a new building.

Mr. Courtney McCracken offered to donate the money needed for construction of a library building.
In 1966, the Courtney McCracken Library was dedicated.  The building housed the County Library Branch, the High School Library and a study hall.  The complete cost of the structure and all furniture was paid for by Mr. McCracken.
Today, you may visit this library, and meet Branch Manager, Rosendo Navarro.