Branch library service in Greenwood dates back to May 16, 1928, when the Greenwood-Phinney Branch Library opened at 7020 Greenwood Ave., thanks to the efforts of the Greenwood-Phinney Commercial Club and parent-teacher groups.
The club responded to an offer from the Library Board to operate a branch if the community paid for rent, utilities and janitorial service. A total of $340.80 was raised in a campaign led by Edith Marston of the Greenwood Parent Teachers Association.
Rent was $45 a month for the nearly 1,000-square-foot storefront, which housed 3,000 books when it opened. In the first two days of operation 240 people registered for Library cards.
Its popularity led to an expansion in 1932, which almost doubled the space. A second remodel occurred in 1939.
Bond issues for new libraries failed in 1950 and 1952, but the City Council added $492,000 to the 1953 budget to buy a new bookmobile and build three branches, including the Greenwood Branch.
A new branch at 8016 Greenwood Ave. N. opened on Jan. 20, 1954 - the first new Library building in 33 years.
