Cozied up in the heartbeat of Ashland’s historic downtown area, surrounded by exquisite murals and local coffee shops, and near the peaceful whitecaps on Lake Superior stands proud and tall Ashland’s book foundation, the Vaughn Public Library.
Libraries all around the world are the staples, the backbones, of our communities whether we realize it or not. If you think about it, there isn’t another establishment you can find in each community that is free and open to the public and offers free services and information.
When you’re wondering what free things to do in Ashland WI you can hop over to the Vaugh Public Library or check out the Vaugh Public Library’s Facebook Page for the free events they have going on! From family friendly gatherings, book clubs, and hobby-centered learning, there are all sorts of activities you can get involved with.
That’s pretty remarkable when you let that sink in for a moment, isn’t it? If you ask me, libraries are underrated! There are hundreds of libraries in Wisconsin, but only one precious and bookish, Vaughn Public Library. So, let’s dive in and learn more about this legend amongst all of the libraries in Wisconsin!
Pssttt, be sure to follow Vaughn Public Library on Facebook, and while you’re there, we’d love to see you in our Loving Life On Lake Superior Facebook group.
The History of Vaughn Public Library
The Vaughn Public Library is home to thousands of stories, embedded within its foundation, the plaster on the walls, and the busied sidewalks that surround it is a story enriched with local history in itself of how the Vaughn Public Library came to be.
I will be paraphrasing a very brief history of Vaughn Public Library from the history section on the Vaughn Public Library website. I deeply encourage you to check out the extremely well-written and interesting historical write-up that they have on their website for a more in-depth reading of their rich history. Thank you, Vaughn Public Library, for the terrific information!
The Vaughn Public Library’s humble beginnings started around 1872. Though it was not officially created yet, the Ashland Library Association was breathed into the shuffle of Ashland’s civic duties, and years later, in 1976, established in a reading room within the City Clerk’s office surrounded by stacks of books where we first get a glimpse of the beloved Vaughn Public Library.
The beginnings of the Vaughn Public Library we see today, and the classic name itself, comes from married couple Samuel and Emeline Vaughn. These visionaries sought out a mission to bring books and public space to the city of Ashland so that it could further grow, expand, and be enriched with the love and power of books.
Sadly, Samuel Vaughn passed away before he could see their aspirations blossom, but his wife, Emeline Vaughn, was an obvious person of drive and dedication, for she saw their dream through. In the brisk of November in 1888, the doors of Vaughn Public Library were opened with around three thousand and five hundred books to enjoy. Below is a quoted response to what Emeline Vaughn said about her vision for the Vaughn Public Library.
“A literary and social center of the city where people from all walks of life may find mental food.”
– Emeline Vaughn
Proudly and impressively, Vaughn Public Library is the oldest library in Wisconsin to be operating in its original building; that’s quite the achievement!
We have the gratitude and trailblazing ideologies of the Vaughn’s to thank for the existence of Vaughn Public Library, and we have the friendly and knowledgable staff, fabulous volunteers, and wise board members to thank for its present triumph.
Where is Vaughn Public Library?
Nestled in the historic heartbeat of downtown Ashland, you can find Vaughn Public Library, where you’re blocks away from being on Lake Superior, and you have an inspiring view of mural number eight, The Veterans Mural.
502 Main St W, Ashland, WI 54806
“This library is such a great resource! Love the meeting rooms on the second floor for remote working 😊”
– Megan B ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10 Quick & Fun Library Facts | Wisconsin & Beyond
After exploring the interesting history of Vaughn Public Library on Lake Superior, are you hungry for more library bookish knowledge? I’ve got ten quick and fun library facts for you!
These facts range from libraries in Wisconsin to libraries all over the world; you’re in for a treat and let us know your favorite library fact or if you have one of your own!
- Peterborough, New Hamshire, holds the treasure of the country’s very first library, The Darby Free Library, which opened its gracious doors and started serving the community around 1743. Pretty remarkable, huh?
- The largest public library in the state of Wisconsin is the Milwaukee Public Library, with a bustling thirteen branches and a serving population of 594,833 patrons. That’s a lot of public access to books; how amazing is that!
- On the topic of big dogs (or, shall I say, big books) in the library game, where is the largest library in the United States? That would be none other than the famous Library of Congress located in Washington, D.C. This powerhouse of knowledge and stories is also the largest library in the WORLD!
- According to Wisconsin State Legislative documents (serious business), the grand ole Dairy State has a total of 389 municipal and county libraries that are currently in service. And hopefully, more to come!
- Now that we know how many libraries are in Wisconsin, which state has the most public libraries? As of 2020, in the calculations of WordsRated.com, California takes home the paperback crown for housing a whooping 1,226 public libraries.
- If you want to see the tallest library in the United States you’ll have to take a stroll to the University of Massachusetts, but I don’t think you’ll have a hard time finding it with its great height. This academic library stands at a gigantic 286.5 feet and houses around six million books! I’d apply to hang out in the library!
- Want to hear something ironic? According to Pantagraph.com, the Guinness Book of World Records, you know, those books we all ran to check out first and gape at outrageous and quirky achievements worldwide, has the record for being the most stolen book from libraries– how nuts is that!
- New York City, as we all know, is one incredibly vast city that’s full of bustling folks. You know what that means, right? Big city, bigger library! It took around fourteen years (1897-1911) to build the New York Public Library (Main Branch). That’s quite a lot of time, but I’m sure it was worth every year for all of the patrons it serves every day.
- Another NYC Public Library fact is coming your way! The most checked-out book of ALL TIME at the NYC Public Library is “The Snow Day” by Ezra Jack Keats, and it has borrowed (so far) a total of 485,583 times. That’s a lot of bookworm hands it’s passed through and many bookish hearts this story has touched. Runner-up is “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss (469,650), and coming in third is “1984” by George Orwell (441,770).
- Have you seen those adorable mini-libraries in neighborhoods? Those are Little Free Libraries! And you can’t believe how many there are around the entire world on all the continents (yep, including Antarctica!); there are more than 150,000!
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
– Jorge Luis Borges
There’s a lot of beautiful history within the Vaughn Public Library and in Ashland’s community, but there’s plenty of excitement to look forward to in the future as well. The Vaughn Public Library will be having some beautiful renovations that will benefit the community in multiple ways. From more space for children/teen programming, reading areas, and meeting rooms to an aesthetically pleasing exterior and interior, things are coming up Vaughn for this public library! Learn more about the Renovations Project here, and be sure to follow Vaughn Public Library on Facebook and Instagram to be in the loop of all of the free things to do in Ashland WI, and fun events you don’t want to miss out on.
Thank you for taking the time to read about a wonderful public library among the many libraries in Wisconsin, and I hope to see you over on our Loving Life On Lake Superior Facebook page to keep this Lake Superior love going. Enjoy your reading time at the library!
