Library History

As one of the oldest public libraries in the Fox Valley, Batavia Public Library traces its beginnings to 1868 as a small library association. Members paid a $5 lifetime fee and a yearly tax that supported the purchase of books, which were housed in an upper room of the Harvey Block on South Batavia Avenue.

In 1873, F. H. Buck became the first paid librarian, serving for 15 years. By 1882, the Library’s collection had grown to 1,000 volumes and transitioned into a township library. A series of moves followed as the Library expanded, including to the Buck Block, the Van Nortwick Block on Wilson Street, and, in 1893, to the Levi Newton homestead at One North Batavia Avenue.

Cassie Stephens, the Library’s third librarian, served until 1939. During her tenure, Batavia continued to grow, prompting the razing of the Newton home for Wilson Street’s westward expansion. A new home was established across the street at the Don Carlos Newton property, where the Library remained until 1981. Under longtime librarian Miriam Havighurst Johnson (1939–1973), the Library added to its building in 1960, expanding its capacity to 17,000 volumes.

In 1981, the Library opened a new building at Lincoln Avenue and Wilson Street, marking a new era of service. Continued population growth eventually required yet another move. In 1998, the Board of Trustees purchased the current site at Wilson Street and Batavia Avenue. Voters approved construction of a new 54,000-square-foot facility, which opened on January 27, 2002.

Today, Batavia Public Library continues its long tradition of growth and service, supporting a vibrant community with resources, programs, and spaces that reflect Batavia’s past, present, and future.