1839 – Kosciusko County’s first library begins, which is run by the County Commissioners (and appears to have ended in 1849).
1855 – The McClure Working Men’s Institute of Warsaw library is created.
1885 – County Commissioners turn over volumes from the county library, Captain Runyan’s personal library, and the Working Men’s Institute collection to the Warsaw Public Library, which is first housed in the Old Center Ward School on the corner of Market Street and Detroit Street. This collection is overseen by the School Board.
1890’s – Located in the basement of the school, a railing keeps the public from entering the stacks of books, which can be borrowed on Saturday afternoons and kept for two weeks. Borrowers can look over lists of available books on tables outside of the railing.
1914 – Twelve women’s groups working together hold a public meeting to start a movement to secure a Carnegie library for the community. The School Board passes a resolution providing for the transfer of the library to the city, subject to the approval of the City Council, which was unanimous. Tax revenue for the first year is approximately $2,000.
1915 – The City Council passes a resolution to take over the school library and pave the way for securing a Carnegie library. The first Board of Trustees is appointed and comprises three members appointed by the Judge, two by the School Board, and two by the Mayor and Council.
1916 – $8,255 is received from the Carnegie Foundation as part of a matching grant to build on the corner of Detroit and Center Street, which was formerly the Wallace Estate. Wayne Township is included in the library service district. During the last year of service in the Center Ward School, 7,825 items are borrowed.
1917 – 4,000 volumes are moved from the Central school building to the new Carnegie building.
1917 – A grand opening of the Warsaw and Wayne Township Public Library is held. Items borrowed increases to 13,570, almost double what is was the previous year.
1927 – A children’s room is opened in the former Library basement auditorium.
1931 – The Library serves 5,830 registered users and grows to hold 21,912 materials.
1962 – An engineering firm is hired to help expand the growing and crowded Library.
1964 – Ground is broken for the new addition that will double the Library and alleviate overcrowded conditions. Circulation records show 226,859 materials borrowed.
1966 – The newly named and expanded Warsaw Community Public Library is opened with a total of 14,967 square feet, which houses a collection of 51,272 materials.
1981 – Library hours are expanded from 43 to 63 hours of service per week. A meeting room is created in the basement for up to 50 people. The collection size grows to 116,716 materials.
1986 – The neighboring Brooks home is purchased by the Library for future expansion.
1987 – A building needs assessment is completed. The former Masonic Temple property is donated to the Library, and the Library purchases the lot to the north as well for future growth.
1992 – The Library celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1994 – The Library installs an automated bookkeeping system.
1998 – A grand opening is held for the Library building renovation. The new facility is 41,000 square feet.
2007 – A new Library entrance is created.
2017 – The Library celebrates 100 years of service in the community.
2024 – The Library conducts a feasibility study to explore the best way to continue to grow and evolve service for the community, while addressing much needed repairs and repurposing of space.