History
The Lindale Library was formed in 1992 by a group of Lindale area citizens. A local church loaned a 2000 sq. ft. building. Volunteers collected books, built shelves, painted walls, laid carpet and opened Lindale's first library in 1993. It quickly became apparent that we were outgrowing the 2000 sq. ft. area and a building fund was started. The North East Texas Library System (to wich we belong) advised that we build for the future. Challenge grants were met, and after many years of fundraisers, local donations, foundation support and much work by volunteers, we now have a library that the community can be proud of for years to come.
We moved into our beautiful new 10,000 sq. ft. building in July 2002, debt free, thanks to the generous support of our community, the surrounding areas and foundation grants. Since that time we have grown over 250% in all areas: patron visits, circulation, cards issued, children and adult programs, Internet users and Internet hours. We issue over 100 new library cards each month.
To date we have issued over 17,000 free library cards. The Library is fully automated and has ten computers on the Internet for the use of our patrons at no charge. The Library has a catalog of over 50,000 items, including reference books, fiction, Inspirational fiction, non-fiction, Books on CD and DVD's for both adults and children.
Many programs had to be discontinued in the old library due to lack of space. Since moving into our new building we have reinstated Summer Reading Program, English as a Second Language, Accelerated Reader Program (partnering with the local schools), Story Time, and others. Over 300 children attend the annual Summer Reading Program that extends over six weeks.
Although the City of Lindale gives some funding to the library, most of its operating funds are raised directly from the public through donations, fundraising events such as raffles, car shows, book sales, garage sales, etc. Some funds are granted to the library by foundations and local service clubs, such as the Lindale Rotary Club, Hide-A-Way Lake Kiwanis, Hide-A-Way Lake Book Review Club, and Lindale Garden Clubs. The library receives no county funds.
The library now employs a Library Director, two part-time college students, and two part-time senior student/interns, as well as a MLS Librarian. We are now open 36 hours per week with the help of many volunteers.
The Lindale Library was nominated for the Best Small Rural Library in America in 2004.
Recently NETLS (the North East Texas Library System, to which we belong) nominated the Lindale Library to the Gates Foundation to attend a conference before the Public Library Association conference in Boston that is focused on technology in the rural Library. Only 3 were selected in the state ofTexas, and the Lindale Library was the first. NETLS told Gates Foundation they knew the perfect fit and then called us to ask us to apply. Our technology is apparently well respected at NETLS.
In its relatively short existence the Lindale Library has made a great impact on all the citizens of Lindale and the rural community that surrounds it. As the Lindale grows, the demand for our library's services will also grow.
