Buna Public Library

The Buna Public Library opened its doors to the public in February, 1973, with a collection of approximately 2,000 books in Mrs. Lillie Walters' insurance office where it continued until 1979 when a new owner needed the space. The library, having no place to go, had to be stored. The book collection had, in the meantime, grown to more than 4,000 volumes of hard-backed books and 2,500 paperbacks, most of which were donated by the people of Buna. The books were stored in a local attorney's office until funds were secured and the new library building was constructed. The funds consisted of special grants and local contributions. Fundraisers were conducted and supported by the people of Buna. The new building opened in March, 1983. The library employed one part-time employee 25 hours a week, but due to the dedication of the faithful volunteers, the library was able to stay open 39 hours per week. By 1988, the library had grown so much that an expansion was in order. In March of 1989, a 5,000 square foot addition was added to the building, thanks to a grant from the TLL Temple Foundation. The new addition includes an upstairs meeting room, suitable for community activities. Our summer reading program and a GED class meet there as well as other classes and activities. Over the last ten years, our library has grown to a collection of more than 24,000 books, videos, cassettes, and magazines, mostly donated by the people of Buna. Besides books and videos, the library offers projectors, internet computers, typewriters and computer games for children. Many people in our area use our library; some days as many as 150 people walk through our doors. We have become an important part of the Buna community. And, the miracle is, since Buna is unincorporated and the library has no city-tax based revenue, it has almost all been done by grants and donations and a lot of hard work by a faithful few who have made the dream of a library for the people of Buna come true.