About The Forest Lodge Library
Introducing the library
A community hub nestled among the lakes, forests, and wildlife that define northern Wisconsin.
Welcome to the Forest Lodge Library, a community hub nestled among the lakes, forests, and wildlife that define northern Wisconsin. Just as our area is known for its clear waters, quiet trails, and outdoor adventure, our library is a place for discovery, curiosity, and connection.
We serve residents and visitors alike with a welcoming space to read, learn, and gather. Whether you’re here to explore, relax, or discover something new, the Forest Lodge Library is here to serve as a cornerstone of our Northwoods community.
Forest Lodge Library
Vision Statement
The Forest Lodge Library is the learning center of our community and the place people turn to for the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Forest Lodge Library is to enhance the quality of life for our community by providing open access to cultural, intellectual and informational resources and services that are delivered in a welcoming, convenient and responsive manner.
History
Where the Future Resides with the Past
The Forest Lodge Library was founded in 1925 by Mary Livingston Griggs in memory of her mother, Mary Steele Livingston. First called The Community House, Mrs. Griggs, along with the Cable Woman’s Club, envisioned and executed a downtown Cable facility that would combine the functions of library, community meeting center and public rest room. The building was constructed of logs cut and milled of the Griggs’ property, the Forest Lodge Estate, on nearby Lake Namakagon.
Later named the Forest Lodge Library, the building is one of two log cabin libraries in the State of Wisconsin. While not the oldest building, it has been a library the longest. The building was named to the State and National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
When the Cable Natural History Museum was established in 1968 the library and the Museum merged and operated under a single board funded by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation. In 1992, the library established its own Board of Trustees and became a fully functioning public library. In January of 2007 the Forest Lodge Library became a Joint Library of the Towns of Cable and Namakagon.
In December of 2016 the Library Board effected the purchase of property adjacent to the Forest Lodge Library with plans to, eventually, create a library addition to augment the programs, services and collections available to its patrons. The property is jointly owned by the Towns of Cable and Namakagon. Read more about our “building project” under the New Building Project tab.
The Forest Lodge Library has long had a good reputation for friendly, welcoming and efficient service. If you are not already a patron…we hope that you will soon come in and check out all the services your library has to offer.
Remembering the Book House
For many years the Book House, which was formally located in the house adjacent to and due west of the Forest Lodge Library, had been functioning as an ongoing book sale location since the summer of 2017.
The Book House was sold and removed in October of 2024.
Book House staffing relied on many wonderful volunteers. The Book House was able to be a place of successful book sales only due to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that we’ve had during the 7(ish) years it was open.
Due to space limitations, the Forest Lodge Library is NOT taking book or item donations at this time. Please check out other local libraries or senior centers to see if they may be in need of your items.
