History of the Sioux Falls Public Library (1899-1995)

The Sioux Falls Library Association received its charter from Dakota Territory in August 1886. However, progress toward a Public Library really started in 1899, when citizens voted a mill levy for library purposes; the school board appointed the first library board, and W.H. and Wynona A. Lyon gave the former All Souls Church building at Twelfth Street and Dakota Avenue for use as a library.

Andrew Carnegie provided the initial $30,000 for construction of the Carnegie Free Public Library building at the corner of Tenth Street and Dakota Avenue. The building was completed and occupied in 1903 and served well for 70 years.

The first Bookmobile was purchased out of "fine money" in 1951 with a second and a third added in 1957 and 1960.

A new main library opened at the corner of 8th & Main in 1972, with 46,600 square feet of space. In 1988 the Ruth Kennedy Caille Branch Library, named in memory of the donor, opened at 4100 Carnegie Circle in southwest Sioux Falls. In 1995 the Harriet L.J. Ronning Branch Library, named in honor of the donor of the land and in recognition of the Ronning family, opened in southeast Sioux Falls at 3100 East 49th Street. In 2005, the Oak View Branch Library opened in northeast Sioux Falls at 3700 East 3rd Street.