The library continued to grow and by 1937, the need for a new building was apparent. An initial 1938 bond issue failed to pass. The reasoning was that Library officials has chosen an unpopular location, the current site of St. Peter Catholic School on Clay Ave. However, a 1939 bond issue passed when the library’s current location at 140 East Jefferson was selected.
The firm of Bonsack and Pearce was appointed as building architects, with Frank L. Thompson serving as associate architect. The Library Board passes a resolution that the new library building will face Jefferson Ave. The building contract was awarded to J.A. Prahl Contracting for construction of new library building at a cost of $32,150.00. Mrs. A.H. Kiskaddon donates $300.00 for construction of fireplace and equipment; Mr. Charles F. Brown donates $110.00 towards bay window. Other donations of $25.00 each received from Mr. Fred Rott and Mr. Elmer Heinemann. Mrs. Keysor offers to furnish children’s room in new building in memory of her son William Ellis Keysor.
