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In 1970, members of the Women's Service League
began a campaign to open a public library in San Augustine County.
The San Augustine Public Library was established in 1971 through
local community efforts.
A previous effort in the 1950's resulted in a
short-lived volunteer library located in the basement of the local
Masonic Hall. Appeals from the Women's Service League led to the City
and County applying for and receiving grants from the Library
Services Construction Act, a federal program available at the time.
Using these funds, along with individual donations,
the Service League rented the old Iona Hotel, the former home of
Emmett and Ima Owen and began establishing the library.
In 1975, the building was purchased by the City of
San Augustine with proceeds from parking meters. The library has
remained at that convenient, visible location on the corner of
Columbia and Ayish Streets.
In 2001 the
library underwent a complete modernization and enlargement project.
A much larger building and computerization of the Card Catalogs helps
patrons of the Library find what they are looking for with ease and
the Card Catalog can now be accessed Online. The link is above.
The extra room lends comfort
to browse and read. And room for a greatly increased book inventory
and a section for 8
adult computer stations. |
