September 22, 1951
The first Friends of the Library organization was introduced to Gainesville in 1951. It all started when Business and Professional Women’s Club member, Mrs. Stella Rowe, chairman of the projects committee, decided the public library was to be the No. 1 project of the year. After bringing the idea up to the club, they decided what Gainesville really needed was a new library building. They were currently using the Carnegie Library which was in disrepair and too small for their current needs. Rowe wanted to create a group that was dedicated to supporting the library. At the time there were already 125 Friends of the Library groups throughout the United States.
On November 26th, the Gainesville community attended a presentation to learn about the benefits of having a Friends of the Library group. Speakers included state president of Friends of the Library and the extension director of the state library, Mrs. Lucille B. Wilson. The speakers explained the purpose of a Friends of the Library organization. At this meeting, the Friends of the Library committee for the city-county library was established.
Friends of the Library groups enrich libraries with resources they cannot fund with their budget. This can include library materials, children’s programs, special guests, building improvements, and more! The Cooke County Library currently has an active Friends of the Library group that helps support the needs of the library. If you’re interested in joining, the 2023 membership application can be found on the Library’s website.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Grant #LS-252486-OLS-22) to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. (2023)
Gainesville Daily Register Digitization Project 