Coleman Public Library
Who We Are
The Coleman Public Library is located at 402 Commercial Avenue in downtown Coleman. We provide free services to all residents living within the Coleman city/county boundaries.
Our Mission
The Coleman Public Library serves as a community center by providing technology, educational resources, and reading materials for the enjoyment of its patrons.
History
On January 26, 1885, the Coleman Library was among the first of the public supported libraries to organize in the State of Texas. After one year in the courthouse, the library moved to the back room of a pioneer drug store. In 1905, the Self Culture Club took the responsibility of raising the money for a new building. A lease for 100 years was secured from the Commissioners Court for the northwest corner of the courthouse square. In 1909, the building was completed and dedicated. When funding became unavailable, club members took turns serving as librarians. In 1920, the Self Culture Club felt they could no longer sponsor the library. Pioneer ranch woman, Mrs. J.A.B. Miller, offered her services two afternoons a week. She was able to keep the library open for the next 40 years.
In 1969, the City of Coleman took over and since then, has provided the main source of support. With this came a new name, the Coleman Public Library, and a strong organization of supporters. Friends of the Library formed in 1971, when the library joined the Big Country Library System. Requirements for membership included a collection of 10,000 volumes to qualify for system membership. It took the Friends of the Library just forty-two days to collect the needed volumes.
In 1978, a Texas historical marker was placed in front of the little building on the courthouse square. In the early 1980's a major task faced the Friends of the Library. The Coleman Library had out grown its little historical building making the building inadequate in size. A vacant Safeway grocery building was purchased by the City of Coleman and remodeling as a library began in 1982. A fund drive sponsored by the Friends of the Library raised $93,000.00. The City of Coleman contributed $122,694 to complete the project. In addition, several citizens donated labor, consultation fees, and materials.
The Friends of the Library saw another opportunity to expand when the building next door became available for purchase. With $21,000.00 of donations and $6,000.00 from the Coleman Development Board, the Annex Building was purchased for future expansion. By this time, the summer reading program had expanded to over 300 county children and the extra space was needed just for the successful summer programs.
In 1990, with the assistance of the Friends of the Library, the Coleman Public Library was fortunate to receive the prestigious Woodward Texas History Collection from Dr. Mac Woodward. During the winter of 1991, money raised by the Friends of the Library was used to include an additional room in the Annex Building to house this valuable collection. In October 1991, remodeling began on a new kitchen, handicap accessible bathrooms, and storage areas. The library's growth did not stop there? With the assistance of the Coleman Development Board, the library was able to obtain the Tillman Building next door.
Collections also grew through the library. When audio and visual materials became popular, the Friends of the Library provided the first funds to start the collection. Early 1990's saw computers with Internet capabilities being provided for patrons. Coleman Library was one of the first libraries to participate in the TIFF grants provided by the Texas State Library. In collaboration with Coleman ISD and another TIFF grant, a 8-computer lab was made available for public use and training.
In July 2006 the MKB Foundation gifted the Coleman Public Library with funds for renovations to the Annex Building. With these funds a 5-phase renovation plan started with the first renovations beginning in the Annex Room for a new Easy Reader section for an expanded children's library, a Local History/Genealogy Room and improvements to the Woodward Texas History Collection. Friends of the Library and Friends of the Coleman County Foundation assisted with providing furnishings and books for the expansion.
With additional funds from the MKB Foundation, the Coleman County Foundation, and private donations, additional expansion into the Tillman Community/Training Room has increased the square footage of our operation to over 5,000 square feet. The Tillman Room is being used for various functions and currently is an intricate part of the collaboration between the county school districts with the Target Tech in Texas (T3) Collaborative Grant. The room hosts training and professional development for the employees of the four school districts in our county. In addition, with our wireless connectivity, our doors are open for the students of Coleman ISD to access their personal laptop computers made possible through a TEA Vision 2020 grant. Indeed, our collaboration with the TEA grants and the county schools assures our success in assisting the schools in providing 21st Century classrooms.
Now in its 125th year of continuous service to the citizens of Coleman and Coleman County, the library is busier than ever. Serving a county population of over 8,000 people, the library circulates more than 42,000 items a year. People of all ages have patron cards. We have numerous programs, but we are most proud of our continuing successful summer reading program for toddlers through junior high school. Our wireless accessibility brings all ages to use and enjoy our facility, which in turn makes them aware of our other projects and encourages their participation.
With a progressive and innovative leadership and the Friends of the Library's commitment, we can truly say, "Our library is a 21st Century Community Center!"
