WELCOME TO THE
The mission of the Blanco Library is to provide open access to information and promote literacy, love of reading, and lifelong learning opportunities for all members of the community.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Story: A History of the Blanco Library
The Blanco Library was founded by the Blanco Woman's Club on October 12th, 1938. Mrs. Maude Chick was the Blanco Woman’s Club president and Mrs. Elmer Dale was the chairman of the library committee. The ladies raised funds through their first Silver Tea for the library. Mr. Robert Fulcher provided the shelf space and a reading table in his drug store (now Strickland's Drug Store). The library officially opened November 19th, 1938 with the 400 books that the Texas State Library loaned as a starter collection. For 47 years, the Blanco Library received no public funds and was supported mainly by per-capita contributions from the Blanco Woman's Club, community fundraisers such as bake sales, cake walks, luncheons, and book sales, as well as private donations and memorials. The ladies auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles helped develop the collection by providing several grants for the purchase of large print books.
On April 27th, 1976, the Woman’s Club filed to create Blanco Library, Inc as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, so that donations given to support the library were tax deductible. In 1988 the Library was able to purchase 310 Pecan Street on the square due to a legacy from James A. Williams. In their will, Mr. and Mrs. Williams left their home and property to the library, stating that it could either use the home as a new location or sell it to purchase or construct another facility. To honor their memory, the library was renamed the James A. and Evelyn Williams Memorial Library. Later, the library purchased the adjacent building and expanded to include a children’s room.
The library received the property at 1118 Main Street (formerly a restaurant) through the generous gift of Pat Ryan, whose passing (1942-2025) has been deeply felt throughout the Blanco community. Pat understood the lasting impact her donation would have, not only on the residents of Blanco and patrons of the library, but also on those in the surrounding county, school district, and beyond. Following her gift, a significant fundraising effort by library members, the local community, and several foundations allowed the former restaurant to be expanded into a 3,800-square-foot library building. Proceeds from the sale of the previous library building on the square were also used toward construction. The new location opened in April 2000. At that time, the librarian, Sandra Paine, continued to serve as a volunteer, receiving a symbolic salary of one dollar per year, which she donated back to the library.
When Texas passed laws allowing for Library Districts, an election was held to form Blanco County South Library District. In February, 2002, Blanco Library, Inc. transferred operation of the Library to the elected District Board of Trustees. At that point, the law allowed one half of one percent (or 0.005) of sales tax collected in Precincts 1 and 4 in Blanco County, excluding the City of Blanco, to be used for Library operations. Sales tax is only one way the Blanco Library is funded. Blanco County now contributes $6,000 per year and the city of Blanco contributes $15,000 for operations. The library obtains grants for specific projects such as expanding the number of computers, presenting special programs, or purchasing equipment. Mildred Doran, an early member of the Woman’s Club, willed assets to Blanco Library, Inc., specifying that only the interest could be used and that it must be allocated for staff salaries.
The Friends of the Blanco Library raise funds to support the library through membership dues and other activities. Thanks to the donations and fundraisers, Friends are able to purchase the books, movies, and other materials for the library, as well as help to fund a variety of special events and needs.
Blanco Library Inc. still owns the library building and maintains it through the dues of members of the Blanco Woman's Club, their annual Silver Tea, private grants, fundraisers, and generous donations.
We have a collection of over 24,000 materials, including the latest best sellers, a large selection of children's books, videos, audiobooks, and more. Visit our Genealogy Room with rare books, documents, and the classic South Western Journals collection.
The Blanco Library seeks to inspire intellectual and cultural curiosity in a neutral and safe environment, while building partnerships and responding to the needs of our diverse community.