Washoe County Library

Washoe County Library System began in 1904 with the opening of Reno's Carnegie Free Public Library at the corner of South Virginia and Mill Streets. The Carnegie library served residents of Washoe County until 1930, when the library found a larger space in the old State Building in Powning Park across Mill Street. The building was erected by the State of Nevada on a site leased by Washoe County, beginning the long relationship between area libraries and Washoe County.
From its humble beginnings, Washoe County Library System has grown to operate twelve branch locations throughout Washoe County, plus the Mobile Library, the Community Resource Center, and the Internet branch.
The Sparks Library opened its doors in January of 1932 at its first location on B Street (now Victorian Avenue). It later moved to its current location near Oddie Boulevard and 12th Street in Sparks. The first mobile library in Washoe County Library System-the "Book Bus"-became a reality in the late 1950's, and provided the residents of Wadsworth, Gerlach, and Empire with library services.

By 1966, Washoe County had two libraries on wheels. In May of 1966, Reno saw the grand opening and dedication of the Downtown Reno Library, a gift from the Max C. Fleischmann Foundation to the people of Washoe County. The architecturally unique building designed by Hewitt C. Wells continues to serve residents and visitors to Downtown Reno.

In 1973, the North Valleys Library opened its doors as the Stead Branch. It served as the library for Truckee Meadows Community College while its current building was being built, and would later relocate to its current location in Golden Valley. It was known as the Peavine Branch until 1999, when it was given its current name.

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