Porter Public Library celebrates the seventies in many ways
On Oct. 18, 1972, the Friends of Porter Public Library organized and gave its first gift to the library. With over 300 charter members the organization was then and continues to be a wonderful asset to the library by providing not only monetary but volunteer assistance to the library.
In October 1974, Porter Public Library had a week-long celebration in honor of its 90th birthday. As Westlake’s population increased, the number of library patrons doubled between 1960 and 1980. It became apparent that a new library would be in the best interest of the library and the Westlake community. With the passage of the 1983 bond issue, contracts were accepted and blueprints were drawn for a new facility. Construction began April 1, 1984, and was completed on Sept. 8, 1985.
Porter Public Library began as one man's dream and continues to be one of the best libraries in the nation. It has been ranked in the top ten among libraries serving mid-sized communities every year since 1999, three times finishing first. Throughout its long history, the library has changed and grown and underwent a major expansion in 2002.