Cook Memorial Library
🏢 Sage Library System · La Grande, Oregon
Cook Memorial Library
Cook Memorial Library has served the Grande Ronde Valley since a petition drive in 1911 — first from the basement of Honan Hall, then from the city's beloved 1914 Carnegie building, and since 2006 from a modern facility at 2006 Fourth Street that adds a 3D printer, museum passes, and passport services to the original mission.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2006 4th Street, La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: (541) 962-1339
Website: cookmemoriallibrary.org
Plus Code: 85Q38WH3+X9 (La Grande, OR)
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📖 About Cook Memorial Library
Cook Memorial Library is the public library of La Grande, Oregon, the Union County seat and the commercial and cultural hub of the Grande Ronde Valley in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The library traces its founding to a citizen petition in 1911; the first books opened to the public on March 27, 1912, in the basement of Honan Hall. In 1914 a Carnegie grant of $12,500 built the historic brick library that stood at the center of La Grande cultural life for 92 years. On September 19, 2006, the library moved to its current facility at 2006 Fourth Street, and the city council renamed it the F. Maxine and Thomas W. Cook Memorial Library to honor the Cook family's major financial contribution. (The historic Carnegie building earned a recommendation for the National Register of Historic Places in 2026.) Today the library belongs to the Sage Library System — a consortium of eastern Oregon and eastern Washington libraries anchored by Eastern Oregon University — giving cardholders access to the shared SageCat catalog and statewide Answerland reference service. Services include 3D printing, museum passes through Discover & Go, passport applications, notary services, homebound delivery, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library enrollment for young children.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded by citizen petition in 1911 — books first opened to the public March 27, 1912, in Honan Hall
- Built in the 1914 Carnegie building for 92 years; the historic structure was recommended for the National Register of Historic Places in 2026
- Named Cook Memorial Library by the La Grande City Council to honor the Cook family's philanthropic support
- 3D printer, museum passes (Discover & Go), passport applications, and notary services available on-site
- Member of Sage Library System — shared SageCat catalog with eastern Oregon and Washington libraries
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Cook Memorial cardholders access Oregon's statewide digital resources and Sage System shared collections at no cost:
📚 Services
- Passport acceptance facility — applications and photos
- Notary services
- 3D printing for community and creative projects
- Museum passes through Discover & Go program
- Homebound delivery for patrons who cannot visit in person
- Free public Wi-Fi and internet-access computers
- Room reservations with A/V amenities
- Library of Things — specialized item checkout
- Book Club Kits for reading groups
- Art exhibits rotating through the library
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library enrollment for children birth–5
- Interlibrary loan through Sage Library System
🎸 Programs
- StoryWalk outdoor reading trail (community installation)
- Class visits and library instruction for area schools
- Children's and teen programming throughout the year
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Adult programming and author events
- Community art exhibits
📍 Nearby Libraries in Eastern Oregon
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called 'Cook Memorial Library' if it started as La Grande Public Library?
The library was officially renamed the F. Maxine and Thomas W. Cook Memorial Library by a La Grande City Council resolution, in recognition of the Cook family's significant financial contribution to the new building that opened in 2006. The library still operates as the city's public library; the name honors the Cook family's philanthropy.
What happened to the original 1914 Carnegie building?
The historic brick Carnegie library served La Grande for 92 years before the library moved to its current location on Fourth Street in September 2006. The Carnegie building remains standing, and in February 2026 Oregon's State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation formally recommended it for addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
Does Cook Memorial Library offer passport services?
Yes. Cook Memorial Library is a passport acceptance facility, meaning you can submit a first-time U.S. passport application (or a child renewal requiring parental consent) in person. Staff can also take your passport photo on-site. Call (541) 962-1339 to confirm current appointment availability and required documents.
What is the Sage Library System?
The Sage Library System is a consortium of public and academic libraries in eastern Oregon and eastern Washington, coordinated through Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Member libraries share the SageCat catalog, making it easy to request items from other Sage libraries. Cook Memorial is a Sage member, so your card opens access to the full regional collection.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.