Oil City Library
The library holds over 94,000 volumes, including 12 newspapers and over 200 magazines.
The library also houses the Heritage Room, open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 pm - 5 pm, which has local history and genealogical materials.
Since July 1, 1995, the Oil City Library has been designated by the State Library to be one of the twenty-nine district library centers in the state. The library, also known as the Oil Creek District Library Center, serves as the district library for the fourteen public libraries in the counties of Venango, Clarion, and Jefferson. Currently the library is in operation 64 hours per week and is staffed by eleven full-time and part-time employees.
On July 6, 1904, the Carnegie Library of Oil City opened its doors with 5,000 books that were donated by the Belles Lettres Club.
For over 50 years, the original building served the community well without capital improvements. However, the building was upgraded and modernized in 1959 with funds from the Smedley and Justus estates.
An expanding book collection and increase in public use made the need for more space obvious by the early 1970's. The 1959 renovation had provided no extra space and the collection had grown to over 54,000 volumes.
Again, the Oil City Library Commission went to the people of Oil City with a building fund drive. With a matching grant from the Justus trusts, over $800,000 was raised to finance the new wing and the major renovation of the existing building.
Since 1990, the Library's service area has expanded beyond the city limits to include some of the surrounding municipalities.
On July 1, 1995, the Library was designated by Commonwealth Libraries to be one of 29 district library centers in the state of PA. The Library is also known as the Oil Creek District Library Center and is the district center for the 14 public libraries in the counties of Venango, Clarion and Jefferson.
The present facility currently provides space for over 94,000 items and serves over 15,000 individuals in the library's service area.
Oil City Library's mission is to fulfill informational and recreational needs, assist in personal growth and development, and promote the area's heritage. Top-notch programs and services are offered daily at the Library.
In 2004, the Library celebrated 100 years of quality service to the community with a memorable year in the Library's history.
The celebration of a century of existence sets in motion for the next one hundred years a continuation and enhancement of the quality library service that our patrons expect and depend on.
Oil City Library is truly a fine library and an extremely valuable resource for our region.
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