1993: McFarland Land Use Plan Update noted the need for a library in McFarland.

8 April 1994: There was an initial meeting of interested library supporters and Doris Hanson (called The Citizens for the McFarland Library) at the Green Lantern.

9 January 1995: First Library Board was established by the Village Board. Members were: Barbara Houghton, Don Breitenbach, Tom Gannon, Dave Bisbee, Keith Weiss, Eb Schubert and Lee Olsen.

4 April 1995: Referendum to build a new library passed 1,159 to 372.

5 May 1995: Process was begun to become part of Dane County Library Service and South Central Library System.

2 June 1995: The Friends of the McFarland Library group was incorporated.

Summer 1995: Fundraising began, with a goal of $375,000.

1996: Plans for the new library location on Farwell St. were finalized.

1996: Library Director Pat Chevis was hired.

1 June 1997: McFarland Public Library opened its doors.

December 2001 - May 2002: Library Space Needs Committee met.

16 September 2002: Library Director Shelley Hartman was hired.

May - December 2003: Ad Hoc Library Building Committee #1 met.

16 September 2004: Architectural firm Dimension IV of Madison was selected to design new library.

September 2004 - August 2005: Ad Hoc Library Building Committee #2 met.

January - May 2005: Capital Campaign Committee met. Chair was Sue Kosmo. Over $1 million was eventually raised.

2 March 2005: Contractor bids were opened. Bids were awarded to Miron Construction, Electri-Tec, Air Temperature Services and Pertzborn Plumbing.

31 March 2005: Ceremonial groundbreaking. Announcement was made that E. David Locke's family foundation would donate $600,000 for naming rights to the new library.

19 December 2005: E.D. Locke Public Library opened to the public.

8 January 2006: The formal dedication ceremony for E.D. Locke Public Library was held.

Reference:

City of the Second Lake, by Barbara Houghton, Margaret Nielsen and Jane Licht. Community Publications, 1998.