Morris Area Public Library

The dream of a public library in Morris began in 1873, when the Eagle Hose Company proposed creating a reading room to share newspapers and magazines with the community. Soon after, Dr. Emmanuel Ridgeway suggested forming a library association, and the Morris Library Association was born. With just 100 donated books, the Association quickly became both a lending library and a cultural hub, hosting lectures, growing its collection, and moving to larger spaces as membership flourished. On December 5, 1913, thanks to a generous $12,500 gift from Andrew Carnegie, the first dedicated Carnegie Library building opened its doors in Morris. Over the decades, as the community grew, so did the library, expanding in 1971, again in 1993, and evolving into today’s Morris Area Public Library District, serving the entire Morris Fire and School Districts. Now, more than a century later, the library continues its legacy of growth and service. What began with 100 books has grown into a collection and resource center that includes books, movies, music, audiobooks, eBooks, public computers, wireless internet, and a vibrant lineup of community programs. Our vision is to be an informed and engaged community that embraces opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through literacy, meaningful experiences, and shared knowledge.The vision of the Morris Area Public Library District is to be an informed and engaged community embracing the opportunity to recreate and learn through literacy, meaningful experiences, and from one another. Our mission is to provide materials, programming, and space to cultivate curiosity, enlighten the mind, and strengthen the community.

At the Morris Area Public Library, our mission is to cultivate curiosity, enlighten the mind, and strengthen the community. We accomplish this by providing access to books, digital resources, and educational tools for all ages, while also hosting a wide range of programs from early literacy storytimes and hands-on STEM workshops to cultural events, book clubs, and lifelong learning opportunities. Beyond traditional library services, we offer unique resources such as our Library of Things, technology support, and community events that bring people together. Every activity and program is designed to inspire discovery, encourage learning, and create meaningful connections within our community.