FACTS and TRIVIA
Building used at that time built by the Historical and Literacy Club for kindergarten, later given to high school. School Board donated it to the library. Approximately 1,000 books gathered to start. Mrs. J.W. Hawkins first librarian and served for seven years.
J.H. Kurth gave $10,000 to the City of Lufkin for a civic need. His sons chose a library to be erected as memorial to their parents. On January 1, 1933 the Kurth memorial Library opened with Mrs. Ora McMullen as Librarian. By 1940, collection reached 10,250 volumes.
In 1960's library enlarged by a room to house local history and newspapers. A genealogy section added and named for Ora McMullen. In 1971, ground broken for new building with double the space in same location; only ground floor finished.
In 1986, second floor of library completed; part of new area housed the Ora McMullen Room. Today the genealogy section in the current library building houses over 7,000 volumes of books, over 3,500 rolls of microfilm and information in print covering over 250 Texas counties and many other states.
Building on Cotton Square was 17,000 square feet.
New building on South Raguet is 51,300 square feet with 35,300 square feet finished and 16,000 square feet for expansion. Anonymous donors provided the building.
Reading Room and Genealogy Room have tables handmade and donated by local citizens.
October 1, 2000 Library became a department of the City of Lufkin, housed within the Parks and Recreation Department. The City is responsible for funding (1) maintenance of the building, staff salaries, service agreements on computer system, micro-film readers and printer, 3-M Self-Check, (2) plumbing, electrical, and vandalism repair/replacement, (3) all supplies relating to the operation of the library; postage, landscaping supplies, weed control, upkeep on grounds, and flag replacement.
The Library Board is responsible for funding for furnishings, computer equipment, carpet replacement, as well as material (books, audio-books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) purchases.
Number of volumes over 67,064. Number of individual library cardholders over 25,223.
Total number of patrons the first year in the new library was approximately 48,000 School groups totaled approximately 9,000 individuals the first spring.
Total number of patrons from October 1, 2002 thru September 30, 2003 was 140,589 (includes 31 school groups with 7,884 attending.) Total circulation for this period was 116,091 items.