1889:  In October, evidence that a library association was in operation is available by a notice that Jennie Turnipseed, librarian, requested the return of overdue books.

1894:  An association was organized with J. W. Gemmill, president, Dr. W. P. Gardner, vice- president; Carrie Waite, secretary and B. W. Nicola, treasurer.

• W. E. Stump, post-master, served as librarian and the books were kept at the post office.

1908:  Mrs. C. C. Gardner hired J. W. Hunter to make the trip to Washington and bring home a wagon load of books that she had previously viewed during an interview with the Scofield family.  Along with the 900 volumes of books from the estate of Hiram Scofield, Washington book collector, came the stipulation that the library be called The Wellman-Scofield Library.

1908:  On October 10, Mrs. Gardner hosted several ladies of the community to meet in her home.  A library association of 50 members was formed with membership dues being one dollar per year.

• As president of the association, Mrs. Gardner met with the secretary of the State Library Commission and attended library meetings in Cedar Rapids.
• The first home for The Wellman-Scofield Library was on the second floor of the Sander’s Store (now known as the Marketplace).  The space was rented and the books were readied for the shelves.

1908:  On November 21, the library was open to the public.  Open hours were on Saturday afternoon and evening.  As members of the association, librarians received no pay.

1909:  In November, Jennie Dodds became the first paid librarian of The Wellman-Scofield  Library.

1916:  A petition was presented to the Town Council asking for a special election to secure a tax levy to support the library.

1917:  The tax levy passed. The Wellman-Scofield Library became The Wellman-Scofield Public Library.

1936:  The library moved to the front portion of the former Security Savings Bank located at 217 Eighth Avenue.  The City Hall offices and the jail were also housed in this building.

1958:  A move to the new Municipal Building located at 316 8th Avenue was made.  Once again the library shared a building that housed the City Hall offices, and the jail.

1982:  Mrs. Benton (Marian) Jolliffe presented the library with a $5,000 gift in memory of her mother, Helen Durst, a longtime trustee.

1984:  A $10,000 grant was received from the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation and $5,000 was donated by supporters of the library for remodeling.

1988:  Fourteen interested members formed a Friends of the Library group.

1990:  Technology (a computer) was introduced to the library.

1996:  The library received a $25,000 bequest from Hazel Stricker Sitler’s estate.  Half of the interest from this money is to be used for books.

1997:  With the help of a $20,000 grant from Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and a $2,000 anonymous contribution, the City of Wellman remodeled the old fire station located at 711 4th Street, giving the library twice as much space to hold a collection of nearly 15,000 items.

1999:  The automation of the collection was completed.

2004:  The Wellman-Scofield Public Library is open thirty-six hours a week.

• The library has a collection of 14,380 books, 647 audiobooks, 43 books on CD, 32 periodicals, three daily newspapers, two weekly newspapers, 727 videos, 60 DVDs, 29 CDROMs, and 7 CDs.  In addition to the above mentioned 15,930 items, the library participates in an audiobook, video, DVD, CDROM, and CD rotation plan which compliments The Wellman-Scofield Public Library’s collection.
• The library has three public computers with internet accessibility, one card catalog computer for public use, two circulation computers, one office computer and the server computer.
• Board of Trustee members are Gary Bontrager, president; Tim Smit, vice-president; Mary Marcia Yoder, Secretary; Eileen Driscoll, Kim Parrott, Gene Scott, and Glennis Stutzman.  The board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Wellman-Scofield Public Library.
• Staff members are Sandra Aggson, Director; Fran Rogers, Assistant Director; Sandy Miller, Children’s Librarian and Karen Duttweiler, Circulation Desk Clerk.

2005:  Board members: Outgoing – Eileen Driscoll & Glennis Stutzman; Incoming – Paula Buckwalter & Martha Nye.

• New Director, Steve Miller – June 1, 2005.

2006:  All new (Microsoft Windows-based) computer and network technology purchased, installed and configured by Director Miller

2023:  The Wellman-Scofield Public Library is expanding their location within the City of Wellman Municipal Building.

• The library has a collection of 17,005 items including: books, audiobooks, movies, STEM kits, Halloween costumes, and more; one daily newspapers; one weekly newspapers, In addition, the library participates in an online service offering e-books and audiobooks for our patrons.
• The library has three public computers with internet accessibility, one card catalog computer for public use, two circulation computers, one office computer and the server computer.
• Board of Trustee members are Sarah Latcham, president; Becca Droll, vice-president; Char Serum, Secretary; Marcus Miller, Melody Rowe, Ashleigh Nelson, and Tim Beachy.  The board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at The Wellman-Scofield Public Library.
• Staff members are Carrie Geno, Director; Nicole Castillo, Assistant Director; Megan Harris, Children’s Librarian and Laurelin Geno, Clerk.
• After years of fundraising, the library received a grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for over $630,000 to complete it’s fundraising goal in order to expand into the unoccupied area on the east end of the City of Wellman Municipal Building.  This expansion will more than double the total size of the library; adding a programming room, study room, staff work room, storage, and additional bathrooms.  The project is set to commence end of May 2023 and conclude by the end of October 2023.
• After well over 100 years of being known as the Wellman Scofield Public Library, the library has chosen to simplify and rebrand as the Wellman Public Library.  The Scofield name will still have a place in the library, as the new study room will be named in his honor.

Serving as librarians and directors:

1889:  Jennie Turnipseed

1894:  W. E. Stump

1909:  In November, Jennie Dodds

1914:  Ella Weller (first paid librarian)

1936:  June Wishard Williams

1947:  Martha Adams

1951:  Lorraine Iames

1968:  Elsie Guengerich

1986:  Ginny McClelland

1990:  Martha Boise

1994:  Loris DeGroff

1995:  Holly Huffman

2000:  Sandra Aggson

2005:  Steve Miller

2014:  Carol Wilkins

2021: Erin Campbell

2023: Carrie Geno