Library service in Rio Linda began in 1916, when the small farming community, then newly renamed from Dry Creek Station, opened its first branch inside Huston’s Grocery Store, sharing space with the post office across from the rail stop. The collection started with just 52 books and 37 cardholders.
As the town grew, the library moved several times: first to the home of Edwin and Barbara Phinney in 1924, where it shared space with the local telephone exchange, then to a rented spot in the Art Ross building after Mrs. Phinney’s passing in 1938.
In 1969, the branch relocated to the Mar-Val Shopping Center on Oak Street, expanding its reach to nearby communities like Elverta and North Highlands. When budget cuts threatened its closure in 1993, Rio Linda residents rallied to keep their library open, raising funds and awareness to save this vital community resource.
Plans for a new library followed in the early 2000s, but funding challenges delayed construction. In 2013, the branch found its current home at 6724 6th Street, in the former Rio Linda Elementary School building, where it continues to serve the community with pride and resilience.