“In principle and reality, libraries are life-enhancing palaces of wonder.” – Gail Honeyman
This year marks 100 chapters of the Arlington Public Library!
Beginning in 1923, Downtown Arlington’s Library consisted of 500 books in wood crates and was located inside the Farmer’s National Bank. This very first location was opened by Pearl Wade as she saw a need to offer free books and education to the Arlington Public.
In 1933, the circulation of books that the Arlington Library offered reached an astounding 11,957. Through this growth, the community started noticing just how much of an impact the library was making within the Arlington community. Thus in 1953, Horace Cooper donated his two-story residence to the Arlington Public Library system. The house was restored and relocated to what is now at the entrance of Meadowbrook Park.
18 years later, the library expands with the opening of the original Southeast, North, and Southwest branches. This expansion allows APL to reach more of the community. In light of multiple library locations opening up around the city, by 1987, the Arlington Public Library had 1 million items in circulation.
The Arlington Public Library now has seven locations throughout Arlington and serve 1.5 million people annually. They offer more than 550,000 items, which include, books, audiobooks, ebooks, DVDs as well as digital photo collections, grant-funded kits and more. If you would like to read more about everything the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library offers, click here.
We have just scratched the surface but the history of Arlington’s beautiful library is rich and shows how books can change a community. If you are interested in an entire history, click here.
The support shown to the library from day one has created lasting impacts over the past 100 years. The Arlington Public Library has changed lives, built up the community and allowed Arlington to be the diverse and inclusive city that it is today. Reading is fundamental for a successful future and educating the community. It allows people to see themselves and other perspectives within the pages of a book which leads to a more open and accepting world.
Thank you to all of our librarians, library staff and the community for making the past 100 chapters one of the greatest stories we have ever read. We look forward to the sequel!
If you would like to get involved in all the centennial celebrations, check out the 2023 calendar!
Written by: Makayla Reed