Photograph taken March 1973

In 1955, the Continental location of the Putnam County District Library was first housed within the premises of the Continental Town Hall, marking the commencement of its journey in serving the local community's educational and informational needs. The first Librarian appointed to oversee the library's collections and services was Alida Corkwell, who played a pivotal role in the library's early development.

Town Hall

Historically, the Continental branch library has demonstrated a keen interest in catering to the hobbies and craft interests of its patrons. In an innovative move in 1973, the library began offering sewing patterns for loan, thereby fulfilling a unique community need. However, this particular collection was gradually phased out by the mid-1980s, reflecting the evolving interests of their patrons.

Story time in the Town Hall Location

The turn of the millennium marked a significant chapter in the library's history with the establishment of the Continental Community Library Inc. in the year 2000. This initiative was driven by the community's aspiration to secure a more suitable location for their library, thereby enhancing its accessibility and service capacity. Over the next two years, diligent efforts were made by the members to obtain both a charter and the 501(c)(3) status, laying a solid foundation for the library's future endeavors.

A pivotal moment in the library's evolution came with the generous endowment from the Wilber and Marcella Kruse Family. Their substantial contribution facilitated the acquisition of the former Methodist Church building in 2004. This relocation expanded the library's operational space from a modest 800 square feet to an impressive 3,300 square feet. The new location, characterized by its large windows and open floor plan, not only exponentially increased the library's capacity to serve its patrons but also cultivated an inviting and warm atmosphere for the community.

To celebrate this momentous enhancement and reintroduce the library to the community, an open house event was held on September 18, 2004. This event signified a new era for the Continental location of the Putnam County District Library, reaffirming its commitment to enriching the cultural and educational landscape of the community it serves.