Philomath Community Library
🏢 Corvallis-Benton County Public Library · Philomath, Oregon
Philomath Community Library
The Philomath Community Library holds roughly 22,000 items in a volunteer-built building dedicated in 1995 — its children's room bearing the name of beloved author Beverly Cleary, who donated $20,000 to help construct the library that serves this small Oregon city two miles west of Corvallis.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1050 Applegate Street, Philomath, OR 97370
Phone: (541) 929-3016
Website: cbcpubliclibrary.net
Plus Code: 84PRGJQH+J8 (Philomath, OR)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Philomath Community Library
The Philomath Community Library is a branch of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system, serving the city of Philomath in western Benton County, 2 miles west of Corvallis on U.S. Route 20. Philomath (population approximately 5,350 as of 2020) takes its name from Philomath College, established in 1867 by the United Brethren Church — the word philomath means "lover of learning," making it an unusually apt home for a library. The current building was constructed almost entirely by community volunteers and dedicated on June 4, 1995. The project required nearly $225,000 in materials, labor, and furnishings, funded by a Library Services and Construction Act grant of $112,000, an additional $175,000 raised through grants and donations, and a $20,000 contribution from children's author Beverly Cleary — whose name graces the library's children's room. The library holds approximately 22,000 items from the system's 300,000-item collection and circulates roughly 80,000 items annually. A permanent delivery service averaging nearly 700 deliveries per week connects Philomath patrons to items held at any CBC branch. In June 2023 the library launched the Koha/Aspen Discovery catalog system, improving discoverability of both physical and digital materials including Libby eBooks and Kanopy streaming films.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Children's room named for Beverly Cleary, the beloved author of the Ramona and Henry Huggins series, who donated $20,000 to the building fund
- Volunteer-built and dedicated June 4, 1995 — nearly $225,000 raised through grants, donations, and community fundraisers
- Approximately 22,000 items on-site; 300,000+ system items available via permanent CBC delivery service
- Open until 7 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday for extended evening access
- City name means 'lover of learning' — from Philomath College (est. 1867, United Brethren Church)
- Koha/Aspen Discovery catalog launched June 2023 — improved search for both physical and digital holdings
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Philomath cardholders access Oregon's statewide digital collections and CBC's research databases for free:
📚 Services
- Books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines for checkout
- Beverly Cleary Children's Room with dedicated youth collection
- Access to 300,000+ item system collection via permanent delivery service (700 deliveries/week)
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting rooms and community program space
- Interlibrary loan through the Corvallis-Benton County system
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Philomath Storytime for young children
- Summer reading program
- Youth programming and after-school activities
- Community events and adult programs through the CBC system
📍 Nearby Libraries in Benton County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the children's room named for Beverly Cleary?
Beverly Cleary — the celebrated author of the Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Dear Mr. Henshaw series — donated $20,000 toward the construction of the Philomath Community Library building in 1995. In recognition of that gift, the library named its children's room in her honor. Cleary grew up in Oregon and is one of the state's most beloved children's authors; her Ramona books have sold over 85 million copies worldwide.
What does 'Philomath' mean, and why is it a fitting name for a library town?
Philomath comes from Greek roots meaning 'lover of learning' (philos = loving; manthanein = to learn). The city was named after Philomath College, founded in 1867 by the United Brethren Church. The college closed in 1929, but the name lives on — and makes Philomath one of the few cities in the US whose very name is a tribute to the pursuit of knowledge, making it an apt home for a community library.
How many items does the library have, and can I borrow from other branches?
The Philomath branch holds approximately 22,000 items on-site, but as part of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system, patrons have access to the full 300,000+ item collection. The system's permanent delivery service averages nearly 700 deliveries per week — request anything in the catalog and have it sent to Philomath for pickup.
Which days does the library stay open latest?
Tuesday and Wednesday are the late nights — the library opens at 9 am and stays open until 7 pm on both days. Monday, Thursday, and Friday run 10 am–6 pm, and Saturday is 10 am–2 pm. The library is closed on Sunday.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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