Library History, Who We Are

The Library was established by the "Afternoon Club" in 1913. The first books for the library were purchased when the ladies of the "Afternoon Club" sent out a postcard asking people in the community to buy a book. The campaign to acquire books was successful. The Club was later named "We the Women". The collection of books was originally housed in the Presbyterian Church. Later the city built a room and gave it to the library. The new Court House was being built and the "We the Women" requested the library be housed in the basement. In 1956 the City Library became the Lamb County Library. Lula Hubbard was the first librarian. The library had a book mobile that served the surrounding area until 1980 when the book mobile was canceled by Judge Joyner. The Olton branch was setup by then Director JoAnn Austin and her Assistant Mary Gonzales. Linda Roper was hired to run the Olton Branch Library and it opened part-time in 1982. The Lamb County Library moved to its previous location, the old Higginbotham-Bartlett building in 1983. In 1997 the Olton Branch became full time. In 2003 the County Commissions of Lamb County formed two separate libraries, Lamb County Library and the Olton Area Library. The Lamb County Library was moved in December of 2006 to the old Post Office at 110 E. 6th, The historical Post Office built in 1940 was given a cosmetic face lift, made handicap accessible and reclaimed by County Judge Thompson, District Judge Klein, and the library staff under the direction of Mary Gonzales for use as the new home of the Lamb County Library.