The Potlatch Library began in 1908 as a public reading room in the basement of the Union Church, primarily serving as a place where the company town’s many bachelors could spend their leisure time. In 1914, it became the Potlatch Free Public Library. Championed by local townswomen and Potlatch Company director Frederic S. Bell, the library thrived with monthly stipends contributed by Potlatch Company officials. In 1930 the company also provided a building, and the library moved into the frame structure that had served as the community’s first hospital.

With the exception of a few difficult years during the Depression, the Potlatch Lumber Company gave a monthly donation, allowed rent-free use of the building, and paid the librarian’s salary. It donated the building to the community when it sold the town in the 1950s.

In 1971, a new building was constructed at 635 Pine Street with donations by local patrons and businesses. By 1993, the small community library was feeling the effects of its high circulation volume. The Friends of the Potlatch Library turned to the Scenic Six Community Development Council for support in raising funds for a new building.

By August of 1998, enough funds had been secured to win a matching federal grant and construction of a new facility was completed in January 2000.
(Early history excerpts from “Company Town” by Keith C. Petersen)