Columbia Public Library

The Columbia Public Library (CPL) is the public library of Columbia, Missouri, and was established as a tax-funded library in 1922. It is the headquarters of the Daniel Boone Regional Library system (DBRL), which serves Columbia and the surrounding areas.

The library was demolished and reconstructed at its current location on Garth and Broadway in 2002. The Columbia Library District merged with the Boone County Library District in 2017. In 2023, Columbia Public Library had 367,482 visits and a circulation of 1,397,283.

Prior to receiving tax support, the library ran on donations and moved across numerous downtown locations. Soon after the Tuesday Club organized in 1899 as a women's literary and culture society, they helped establish, stock, and run a free public library in Columbia. The community narrowly voted down a library tax levy in 1917, but in 1922, the library tax levy won 75% of the vote. 1922 was notably the first chance Columbia women had the right to vote on the issue.

Daniel Boone Regional Library
The Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) system was established in 1959 as a joining of the Boone, Howard, and Callaway county libraries with the Columbia Public Library. In 2023, DBRL had a cumulative circulation of 2,847,389, including ebooks, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines.

The Daniel Boone Regional Library system has the following branches:

The system also has three bookmobiles. The largest bookmobile regularly stops in Auxvasse, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Rocheport, and Sturgeon.
 * Columbia Public Library - 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203
 * Callaway County Public Library - 710 Court St., Fulton, MO 65251
 * Holts Summit Public Library - 188 W. Simon Blvd., Holts Summit, MO 65043
 * Southern Boone County Public Library - 109 N. Main St., Ashland, MO 65010

Overdue Fines
CPL experimented with eliminating overdue fines starting July, 1961 for a six-month trial period. The Board of Trustees voted to continue the practice permanently, and the positive results prompted the Board to extend the practice to the Fulton Public Library in 1962. It was common for public libraries around the United States to forgive fines for a brief amnesty period, but the practice of discontinuing late fees did not catch on more widely until the 2010s.

Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United
In May 2022, DBRL employees voted 101 – 55 to form Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United (DBRLWU), AFSCME Local 3311, AFSCME Council 61. This is the first active library workers' union in Missouri. DBRL ratified their first contract in December 2023.