Library Matheson Memorial

Specialties

books, dvds, magazines, computers, internet, fax, copy machine, subscription databases

History

Established in 1931.

Matheson Memorial Library was originally named the Sprague Library and was just an upstairs room in the Sprague Opera House built at the corners of Walworth and Broad Streets. It was opened on

September 2, 1901 and the initial collection was about 1,000 books. This site was used until William Matheson purchased and donated the land at the present site of our library in 1931. He was born in a home at this site and went on to become a scientist of international renown in

business and industry. He then offered the city of Elkhorn $ 60,000 for the library with the stipulation that it bear his name and be in memory of his parents. Dedication services were held on July 18, 1931. In 2004, the doors opened to a 14,000 square foot addition which

tripled the size of the library. Today our library has 74,300 materials

including books, DVDs, CDs, with millions more available through the S.H.A.R.E. consortium.