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| Original Dedication Program August 26, 1967 |
The Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library reopened Saturday after a
much-needed renovation of its physical plant as well as a re-imagining of its
purpose and future.
There are some of us who remember when the library originally opened,
back in 1967. The dedication of the library, on August 26, 1967, was a really
big deal for Kerrville and Kerr County.
A kind friend brought by a copy of the library's dedication
program, and from that treasure I learned the following:
Though Kerr County had its beginning in 1856 (and Kerrville
in 1889), the first library wasn't organized until 1931. The Fine Arts League
had an auxiliary organization, the Literary Club; its main purpose was to
establish a library.
When the League disbanded during the Great Depression, the
Literary Club shared its meager resources and "began an struggle for a
building that was to take many years to achieve."
The Texas Presbyterian College house on the Westminster
Encampment, which was on the side of the Schreiner Institute campus closest to
town, became the first library. "Despite the depression a book shower the
first year provided nine books and small donations."
Books were loaned at "3 cents per day with a charge for
overtime added to the revenue." Due
to club activities membership in the club grew, and the holdings in the library
gradually increased.
"With the donation of 390 books in 1939, the library
was forced to move its 1300 books into two rooms of the Capt. Schreiner
home." By 1941 membership was opened
to the public at $1.00 per year. Around that time the Kerrville Library
Association was formed.
In 1954 the library became a free library, meaning its
resources were available to everyone. By the county's centennial (1956), the
Kerr County Public Library circulated 23,837 books.
Around 1958 a former church building on Water Street, at the
corner of Rodriguez street, was purchased, and, for the first time, the library
owned its own building.
In 1961 a bookmobile service was provided to Bandera, Gillespie,
Kendall, and Kerr Counties, a demonstration project of the Texas State Library
Service; it was discontinued after one year due to a lack of funds.
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| Dedication event, Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, Kerrville, 1967 Front row: Howard Butt, Mary Holdsworth Butt, Lady Bird Johnson, unknown singer, Tom Murray, Peggy Monroe, Gordon Monroe Second row: Charles Butt (who has funded the renovations in 2012) |
By 1965, "the library again faced expansion and the
addition of a new wing was scheduled."
Contributions came in -- around $7,000 -- even before the fund drive was
announced.
I'm not sure how the Butt family became involved, but they
did, and in a grand way. By the summer of 1967 the new library was complete.
The dedication ceremony really pulled out the stops. Lady
Bird Johnson, who was then first lady, came and gave the dedicatory address. Bands
played, local officials spoke, anthems were sung, and prayers were offered. And,
when the dust settled, Kerr County had a library, one of the best in the state.
For me it was a wonderful event; 2 days after my 6th
birthday and the weekend before I started first grade (at Starkey Elementary)
this family I'd never heard of -- the Butt family -- built a library, it
seemed, just for me.
Because no intersections separated the new library from the
print shop I was free to walk there any time. In fact, to get me out of the print shop, I'm sure I was encouraged to walk down to the library.
And walk there I did. Often. I loved the new library.
I'm thankful to the Butt family, as well as hundreds of
other families, individuals, and companies who've made the dream of a great
library a reality. I look forward to the library meeting the needs of the
community for many years to come.
Until next week, all the best.
Joe Herring Jr. is a Kerrville native who still has his very
first library card. Well, of course he does. He never throws anything away. This column originally appeared in the Kerrville Daily Times March 31, 2012.
Great Shot and comments on the "THE NEW Library".
ReplyDeleteI took the photos that were published in the Kerrville Daily Times of Lady Bird, my first published photos at the age of 15!
Keep up the good work.
Mickey Cooper
I admire the library's design and was wondering if you know the name of the original architect. I've looked online, but have been unable to find it.
ReplyDeleteThe dedication program says "Architects for the building are Christian, Bright & Pennington of Corpus Christi." I understand the design here is similar to a design for another library in Corpus.
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteMy uncle, the late Wesley 'June' Cass, and I landscaped the Butt-Holdsworth library. We laid every brick in the back area, filled them with dirt and planted a small piece of S. Augustine grass from Mosty's Nursery and Flower Shop(started by my Grandfather, the late Harvey Mosty, on the old "San Antone' Hwy-where KPUB now stands) in each brick, 'grassed' the area around the building itself, and trimmed the Live Oaks. While working one morning, I stepped on a power line lying on the ground that had supposedly been disconnected. My tennis shoes were soaking wet from the morning dew and I got electrocuted. Uncle June was near by, saw what was happening and ran over and knocked me off the power line. Talk about a shocking experience! I don't remember if it was Spring of Summer, but I believe I had completed my sophomore year. That would have been in the Spring/Summer of 1967.
ReplyDelete