Midland County Library
| Midland County Public Libraries | |
|---|---|
| Location | 301 W Missouri Avenue Midland, TX 79701 |
| Established | 1903 |
| Branches | 4 |
| Other information | |
| Director | Debbie Colson[1] |
| Website | https://www.co.midland.tx.us/150/Public-Libraries |
The Midland County Public Library system provides library services to Midland County, Texas, as well as the surrounding counties of Andrews, Crane, Ector, Glasscock, Howard, Martin, Reagan, and Upton.[2] It is currently a 4 branch system consisting of the Downtown Library, the Centennial Library, the Law Library, and a Bookmobile.[3]
History
[edit]In early 1903, several local women's organizations formed the Midland Library Association.[4] The library was built on the corner of West Wall and Colorado Streets on two lots costing $125.[5] The library building itself cost $1550.[5] It was decided that each member of the Association would serve as librarian for one week each in alphabetical order.[5]
In 1929 the library was owned by the county and was located in the corner of the county courthouse.[6] The library became a project of the Altrusa Club which organized the Friends of the Library, and in 1956 they circulated a petition for a bond election to build a new library building.[6] This was approved and construction at 301 West Missouri Street began in 1957.[5] The 28,000 square foot building was finished in 1958 at a cost of $400,000.[5]
By 1971, the library owned a total of 100,000 books which qualified it as a library of the First Class in the American Library Association.[5] The Midland Centennial Branch Library opened at the Midland Park Mall in 1985.[5] It was moved to the Imperial Shopping Center in 2004.[5][7] By 1990, the library collection had outgrown the building, and the Friends of the Library again circulated a petition asking the county commissioners for an expansion to the Downtown facility.[5] A 20,000 square foot addition was completed in 1993 at a cost of about $2.5 million.[5]
Construction began in 2012 on a new Centennial Library building.[7] On April 11, 2013, the Centennial Library reopened as a 33,000-square-foot, one story location with updated technology, including digital touchscreens, an interactive card catalog, virtualized computers, and free Wi-Fi.[8] In 2014, the library system went fine-free.[4] In 2018 the Downtown Library was renovated and reopened in 2019.[9]
In 2023, the Midland County commissioners voted to end their partnership with the American Library Association, but Midland County Public Library remains part of the Texas Library Association.[10]
Awards and recognition
[edit]In 2014, the Midland Centennial Library won the American Library Association and the International Interior Design Association (ALA/IIDA) Library Interior Design Award for Public Libraries over 30,000 sq. ft.[11] Also in 2014, John Trischitti III, the Director of the Midland Public Library, won Librarian of the Year from the Texas Library Association.[12] In 2015, the library was named Organization of the Year by Midland Reporter-Telegrams.[13] In 2018, Midland County Public Library received the NMC Beacon Award for Excellence in Collaboration with Keep Midland Beautiful.[14]
Services
[edit]Midland County Public Library provides many services in addition to library materials, including exhibits, special collections, test proctoring, room reservations, a notary, and a passport facility.[15] There are also Youth Services, Adult Services, and Ask a Librarian services available.[15] The Downtown Library holds the Petroleum Collection, which began in 1935 and features materials related to petroleum organizations and societies.[9] The Centennial Library holds the Genealogy collection, which began in 1968.[7] In 2023, the Centennial Library opened the Business Resource & Information Center (BRIC) to assist patrons seeking help with careers and employment.[16][17]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Contact Us". Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Get a Library Card". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ↑ "Locations & Hours". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- 1 2 "About the Library". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "History of the Midland Country Public Library". Midland Reporter-Telegram. April 22, 2019.
- 1 2 Phillips, Ada (1956). "Persistence Builds a Library in Midland, Texas". International Altrusan, 1956-10. 34 (2): 15 – via Ball State University Digital Media Repository.
- 1 2 3 "Centennial Library". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ Rich, Sarah (April 11, 2013). "Does Midland County have the Tech-iest Library in Texas?". McClatchy - Tribune Business News: 1. ProQuest 1326746788.
- 1 2 "Downtown Library". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ Shaffer, Ben (August 15, 2023). "County ends partnership with American Library Association". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "LLAMA announces winners of ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards". American Library Association. April 29, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Loud and Strong in San Antonio". Texas Library Journal. 90 (2): 75. Summer 2014. ProQuest 1550829598.
- ↑ "Midland County Public Libraries". MC Legacy Scholars Program. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Keep Midland Beautiful - Awards". Keep Midland Beautiful. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- 1 2 "Services". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Midland County Library providing walk-in career services resources for jobseekers in the community". NewsWest9. January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Business Center". Midland County Public Libraries. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Public libraries - Midland County