Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Texas
Cities G-Z
Galveston (Rosenberg Library)
International Post Card.
Dedicated on the patron's birthday, June 22, 1904.
Still suffering the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, which struck during a planned renovation. However, the Library survived, and re-renovated (is that a word?) in 2010.
Irving
Surprisingly accurate artist's rendering, mailed in 1997.
I have visited this library, and it is a gem. It contains a great history section, lots of audio books, and Spanish language and large print collections.
At least it did in 2005.
The card is ©1984 by A-W Distributor, for the City of Irving Public Library System.
Jacksonville
(L) E.C. Kropp linen finish card.
(R) 1958 Curt Teich card.
A surprisingly complex history page reveals that this location is the fourth (1941) library building. It received a new wing in 1965. It was replaced in 1984. I believe that it is still in use as a museum.
Meridian
Alamo/vernacular styling. Now used as a Senior Center.
Real photo postcard.
Odessa (Ector County Library)
In use from 1942-1981. The building had been a jail!
I'd call the architectural style 'Steamship Moderne.' The card was mailed in 1958.
Paris
Founded in 1927, built in 1934, this building was renovated in 1987 and serves today.
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The attractive linen-finish postcard was printed by Curt Teich in 1943.
Taylor
The Library has a right interesting history.
Pursuit of a Carnegie grant was dropped in the belief the city could generate its own funds. During WWI, the library collection wound up in a corner of the City Hall. Things then fizzled out.
In the mid-1930s, service of a sort began with help tfrom the Texas State Library. Then service fizzled out due to space requirements of the WWII Rationing Board, although the collection moved to a vacant house, and a few dedicated women tried to furnish library service.
By 1948, a library board was formed, and service hopped around from a war surplus building (undescribed by my source) to a barracks in 1956.
The Woman's Study Club must have hit someone in government with an eponymous stick, because in 1957 a planning board was convened. Later that year, property was bought, and a 2,150 square foot building was designed. Construction was let to Coffield Construction Company.
From here, I will use the Dexter Press postcard reverse:
The $52,000.00 Taylor Public Library, 721 Vance Street. Taylor, Texas, dedicated March 6, 1960. Totally financed by donations from citizens and friends of Taylor for the use of everyone in the trade area. City supported in the belief that a free public library is essential to a strong community.
How nice. To be generous and use a 1917 date from the Carnegie era, it took 43 years to get it done.
After two additions, leaking roofs made this building close in 2002. The collection went to City Hall again, and a new library opened in 2007. It appears, from Google Street Views, that the Mid-Century Modern library building was demolished.