Who We Are
Here's an excerpt about our history from a book called "Dawson County History: The Tableland"
The library had its beginnings in 1925 as a project of the Women's Study Club. The members collected as many books as they could from local residents and housed them in the basement of the court house. Mrs. R. R. Townsend was appointed chairman of a voluntary committee from the club to be responsible for keeping the library open for two or three afternoons a week.
After a time, the library was moved to a room in the second story of the old city hall building, and Mrs. Nellie Carter was employed as librarian. Books were still largely obtained by donations.
In 1948 the city moved an old barracks building from the Gilder Field 6 miles north of town to the lots on the corner of North 3rd and Houston. The library was moved into this building along with the Dawson County Heath Unit.
On November 7th, 1949 interested citizens formed the Dawson Count Library Association (later the Library Board) with Dr. H. M. Stover as chairman and Mrs. Suttle Purcell as secretary. The original group had 19 members but it quickly grew as the word was spread. The commissioners court and the city council was approached with a proposition for the Association to take over the library on a trial basis for 90 days and Mrs. Lex Brock was hired as the librarian. Volunteer women assisted her.
On August 18th, 1950 the Association voted to circulate a petition asking the commissioners court to subsidize the library in conjunction with the city. The next month Rev. L. W. Bridges, minister of the First Christian Church, was elected president with Mrs. Buster Reed as secretary. V. Z. Rogers, Roy Storey and A.J. McDaniel were early presidents of the board. In January 1951 the commissioners court agreed to furnish $167.50 per month with the city furnishing a like amount after deducting $67.50 as rent for the city owned building.
During these early months many volunteers helped to keep the library open, building shelves and painting them, conducting story hours for children, and organizing Friends of the Library group. Problems arose constantly but somehow this early group of very dedicated people met and overcame them.
In 1926 a petition was signed and presented to the commissioners court to call a bond election for a new library building and new furniture and equipment. The bond was passed and the present building was erected and dedicated. Mrs. Brock resigned as Librarian and the present Librarian R.A Gorsline, was hired. Throughout the years the commissioners court and the city council have gone extra miles to enlarge the budget to meet enlarged needs and growth of the library which is really gratifying for a small community.
The Library Board as of September 1st, 1980 are Wayne Smith- President, Carol Dyer- Secretary, Mrs. Norman Stewart, Mrs. Claude Wasson, Stancell Clement, Dr. C. M. Southall, Olan Earnest, Mrs. Don Cox, Mrs.Ralf Kinsey, Mrs. Darrell H. Merrick and Mrs. Doyle McAda,
Submitted by: A.J. McDaniel
