Black River Falls Public Library
🏢 Winding Rivers Library System · Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Black River Falls Public Library
Black River Falls Public Library carries a singular distinction: on November 25, 1872, it became the first free public library in the State of Wisconsin under the new state law enabling tax-supported libraries, and it has served the community ever since from its current home on Fillmore Street — dedicated to longtime patron Duane Hoffman.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 222 Fillmore St., Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-4112
Website: blackriverfallslibrary.org
Plus Code: 86PF74VX+MQ (Black River Falls, WI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Black River Falls Public Library
The story of the Black River Falls Public Library begins in 1867 when local young men organized a Reading Room, and took on statewide significance in 1872 when Wisconsin passed legislation authorizing free, tax-supported public libraries: Black River Falls was the first community in the state to achieve that status, on November 25, 1872. The library reached 1,000 volumes by 1879, adopted the Dewey Decimal System in 1900, and saw librarian Annie Wylie begin a remarkable 37-year tenure in 1902. A Carnegie building on Main Street served the community from 1915 until 1995, when community donations exceeding $1.3 million funded the current facility dedicated to Duane Hoffman (1904–1993). In 1978 the library joined the Winding Rivers Library System (WRLS), connecting it to 34 public libraries across seven western Wisconsin counties and giving patrons access to shared digital collections including Libby, Kanopy and BadgerLink.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Wisconsin's first free public library — established November 25, 1872, under the state's landmark public-library law
- Origins trace to 1867 when local young men organized a Reading Room in Black River Falls
- Jackson County History Room features the Speltz Negative Collection and county land records for genealogy research
- Current building funded by over $1.3 million in community donations, dedicated to Duane Hoffman (1904–1993)
- Member of Winding Rivers Library System — one card accesses 34 libraries across seven western Wisconsin counties
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Black River Falls cardholders can stream, research and download free through Wisconsin's statewide and Winding Rivers digital collections:
📚 Services
- Jackson County History Room with Speltz Negative Collection and county land records
- Wisconsin State Parks passes — check out a day pass with your library card
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through the Winding Rivers Library System
- Room reservation for community meetings
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and 300 Books by Third Grade literacy programs
- Weekly storytime for young children
- LEGO Club for youth
- Adult and teen book clubs including the Green Book Club and Monday Morning Book Club
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
- ADRC Access Hour community programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in West-Central Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Black River Falls · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black River Falls Public Library really Wisconsin's first public library?
Yes. On November 25, 1872, following new state legislation that authorized free, tax-supported public libraries, Black River Falls became the first community in Wisconsin to achieve that status. The library's roots go even deeper — a local Reading Room had existed since 1867.
What is the Jackson County History Room and what records does it hold?
The History Room is the library's dedicated local-history and genealogy collection. It features the Speltz Negative Collection of historic photographs and Jackson County land records, making it a key resource for researching families and communities in the region.
Can I check out a Wisconsin State Parks pass from the library?
Yes. The library participates in Wisconsin's State Parks checkout program, which lets cardholders borrow a day pass for free entry to state parks and forests. Ask at the circulation desk for availability and loan details.
What are the library's current hours?
The library is open Monday through Wednesday 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.