Rhinelander District Library
🏢 Wisconsin Valley Library Service · Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander District Library
The Rhinelander District Library opened in 1898 in the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods, moved into a Carnegie-funded building in 1904, and today occupies a 15,000-square-foot facility serving over 10,500 cardholders across Oneida County.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 106 N. Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone: (715) 365-1070
Website: rhinelanderlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86QGJHQQ+PF (Rhinelander, WI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Rhinelander District Library
The Rhinelander District Library dates to 1897, when Reverend Joseph H. Chandler maintained a subscription collection that opened its doors to the public on March 1, 1898, with Inez Van Tassel as its first librarian. By 1902 the collection had outgrown its rented room in the Merchants State Bank building, prompting an appeal to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie pledged $17,500; the Masonic Lodge laid the cornerstone in September 1903 and the building was dedicated in November 1904 to wide acclaim from the Rhinelander Herald as 'up-to-date, complete in its equipment, pleasing to the eye.' Growth continued through the twentieth century: the library joined the Wisconsin Valley Library Service's ten-county cooperative in 1972, and a major renovation and addition completed in 1985 expanded the footprint to roughly 15,000 square feet. Today the library serves as the cultural anchor of Rhinelander — home of the legendary Hodag — circulating more than 123,000 items annually and running 371 community programs a year attended by nearly 6,600 residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie-funded building dedicated in November 1904 — Rhinelander's first-ever public building
- Serves 10,500+ cardholders, circulates 123,000+ items annually, and runs 371 programs per year
- 15,000-square-foot facility following a major 1985 expansion and renovation
- Member of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service, a ten-county cooperative for interlibrary loan and shared resources
- Collection of 70,800+ print volumes plus 165,000+ eBooks — 75% of holdings are digital
- Extended Monday hours until 7pm for after-work and after-school visits
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Rhinelander cardholders can tap into Wisconsin's statewide BadgerLink collection and consortium platforms at no charge:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing, scanning and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through Wisconsin Valley Library Service
- Meeting and program room space
- Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines
- Genealogy research resources via BadgerLink databases
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Children's and young adult collections and services
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and after-school activities
- STEM workshops and digital literacy classes
- Teen creative workshops and college prep programs
- Adult programs: book clubs, job skills training, English language learning
- Cultural programming including 'Taste of the World' monthly series
- Summer reading for all ages
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northern Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Rhinelander · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rhinelander District Library connected to Andrew Carnegie?
Yes. After outgrowing a rented room in the Merchants State Bank building, the library successfully applied for Carnegie funding. Carnegie pledged $17,500, the cornerstone was laid in September 1903, and the building was formally dedicated in November 1904 — making it Rhinelander's first-ever public building.
What is the Wisconsin Valley Library Service?
The Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS) is a ten-county library cooperative that Oneida County joined in 1972. Membership gives Rhinelander cardholders access to enhanced interlibrary loan, shared digital resources, and collaborative programming across the region.
Do I need a Rhinelander address to get a library card?
The Rhinelander District Library was established as a joint library district in 1982 by the City of Rhinelander and the townships of Crescent, Newbold, Pelican and Pine Lake. Residents of all five municipalities are eligible for a free card. Contact the library at (715) 365-1070 to confirm current card policies.
What is BadgerLink?
BadgerLink is Wisconsin's statewide portal of free online databases funded by the state Department of Public Instruction. It includes Britannica Library, Consumer Reports, NoveList Plus, genealogy archives, newspaper collections, Chilton auto repair manuals, and Udemy professional development courses — all free for Wisconsin residents.
📜 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.
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