About

A Legacy of Learning: The Mayville Public Library

The Mayville Public Library, a landmark of civic generosity and enduring purpose, opened its doors to the public on June 23, 1900. Built through the vision and philanthropy of the Grandin brothers, J.L. and E.B. Grandin, prominent Bonanza farmers in the region, the library holds the distinction of being the first building in North Dakota constructed specifically to serve as a public library. At a time when libraries in the state typically operated from borrowed spaces, this purpose-built structure symbolized the Grandin brothers’ commitment to lifelong learning and community enrichment.

Designed by Fargo architect W.C. Albrant, the library’s architecture is both distinctive and dignified. The 1-story cruciform structure with a raised basement is constructed of russet-colored brick and native stone, and it once featured a grand dome that crowned its roofline until structural issues led to its removal in 1933. Classical elements such as pilasters, cornices, and decorative columns give the building a graceful, enduring character. The word “Library” remains etched above the grand west-facing entrance, welcoming all who seek knowledge within.

Inside, visitors are greeted by the exquisite craftsmanship of golden oak woodwork and Victorian furnishings. The central reception room leads to a children’s room on the north, a reading room on the south, and a spacious stack room to the east. Architectural highlights include curved walls, lyre-motif screens, Palladian design elements, and 14-foot ceilings that lend the space a sense of grandeur. Much of the original furniture—including cane-seated chairs, oak tables, and a roll-top desk believed to have been acquired in 1902—remain in the building and  offer a warm and authentic historical atmosphere.

The library’s original check-out desk—one of only five remaining “closed stack” desks in the United States—is still in place, a unique artifact of early 20th-century library service. Though patrons once had to request books from the librarian, the Library Board eventually adopted an open-stack policy, allowing visitors the joy of browsing the collection freely.

The basement, originally home to a variety of community services including the Soil Conservation Service and the Goose River Chapter of the Daughters of the Pioneers, has since been fully transformed into usable library space. Today, it houses a community room, a lower lobby for events and exhibits, a craft room, and public restrooms. Renovation projects over the years—including significant work in 1972–73 and again in 2000—have carefully preserved the character of the upper floors while enhancing the basement’s functionality.

One of the most influential figures in the library’s history was Margaret Rice, who served as librarian for an extraordinary 43 years. Her dedication and stewardship left a lasting impact on generations of Mayville residents. Alongside her husband, John Rice, Margaret was instrumental in securing the building’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977—an enduring recognition of its architectural and historical significance.

The Mayville Public Library continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community. In recent years, the library has significantly expanded its services, programming, and partnerships. In 2024 and 2025 alone, the library received a grant from the Pilcrow Foundation to update its aging children’s collection and initiated upcoming outdoor enhancement projects including a native plant pocket prairie and a permanent StoryWalk®. Summer Reading programs now span diverse arts themes, and new adult nonfiction collections promote inclusivity and cultural awareness through funding from the NDLA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion grant.

In celebration of its 125th anniversary in 2025, the library hosted a week of festivities, honoring not just the building’s legacy, but the generations of patrons, staff, and community members who have kept it vibrant. 

The Mayville Public Library remains a cornerstone of civic life—welcoming, inspiring, and evolving, while never forgetting its proud past.