Celebrating 125 Years of the Waco-McLennan County Library

Created on December 12, 2024 at 12:00 PM

Waco Public Library at its current location in the 1960s.

The year 2024 marks a significant milestone for the Waco-McLennan County Library. This year, we celebrate 125 years of providing education, information, and recreation to the residents of Waco and McLennan County.

From Private Collection to Public Library

The story of the library began in the late 19th century when local philanthropist I. A. Goldstein began writing letters to the Waco newspaper advocating for a public library. He eventually opened a small library inside his Goldstein-Migel store becoming the first library in Waco. Mr. Goldstein would continue to be a big supporter of the library until his sudden death in Nov. 1920.

However, it was a group of dedicated women who truly brought the dream of a fully public library to life. In 1898, they formed the Waco Library Association and began collecting books and searching for a location for the library. They eventually obtained use of the Seley Cottage at 114 N Eighth Street. After cleaning, scrubbing, and painting the cottage, they opened the doors to the first public library on Dec. 15, 1899.

The grand opening featured a book reception where “everybody is invited, and everybody is expected to bring a book to add to the library.” After a month of cataloging and organizing the 600 books they already had collected plus 600 brought to the December opening, the library opened to check out books to the public on Jan. 22, 1900.

Did you know? Membership to the Waco Public Library when it first opened cost $1 per year.

Turning the Page

The Library's growth took a significant leap forward in the early 20th century thanks to the generosity of Andrew Carnegie. With his support, a new building was constructed at N 12th St. and Austin Ave., opening its doors on Dec. 26, 1904. This structure served as the heart of the library system for many years.

Did you know? The first book checked out at the Carnegie Waco Public Library was "Emma" by Jane Austen.

Since then, as the City of Waco grew, so did the library to meet the needs of the community. The Phyllis Wheatley Library opened in 1938 providing segregated library services to the African American community.

After more than 35 years at N. 12th St. and Austin Ave., the library needed more space. Frederick Schumacher donated the former W.W. Cameron residence at N 18th St. and Austin Ave. to be the library’s new home. On Dec. 1, 1941, the library reopened, and Central Library has remained at 1717 Austin despite later reconstructions and remodels in 1962 and 2011.

Meanwhile, the Phyllis Wheatley Library became East Waco Library when it relocated to East Waco in 1961 near the former Doris Miller YMCA. It was later moved to what was H-E-B’s first store in Waco at 901 Elm in Dec. 1977. Most recently, it was remodeled in 2016.

The library continued to grow with the addition of the R. B. Hoover Library at the Lake Air Mall in Sept. 1967 and South Waco Library in Oct. 1974. The R B. Hoover Library later relocated in 2010 and was renamed West Waco Library & Genealogy Center. South Waco Library relocated to its current, much larger location at 2737 S. 18th St. in May 2008.

A Legacy of Literacy

Over the past 125 years, the Waco-McLennan County Library has been more than just a place to borrow books. It's been a community hub and a catalyst for lifelong learning. As technology has changed, so has the library. The Waco-McLennan County Library continues to provide for the educational, informational, and recreational needs of every Waco and McLennan County resident.

This year we are happy to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Waco Library, the 120th anniversary of the opening of the library at N 12th St. and Austin Ave., and the 50th anniversary of the opening of South Waco Library.

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let’s also raise a book to the dedicated librarians, volunteers, and supporters who made our library possible.

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