Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mineola Public Library
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
1. Mineola Public Library Marker
Inscription.
Mineola Public Library (later Mineola Memorial Library) was established largely through the efforts of Vivian Williams Lott. She became interested in opening a public library after seeing one while working as a teacher in San Benito (Cameron Co.) in 1913. A 1940 effort stalled, but in November 1949, the Mineola School District offered an unused room in the Mineola Junior High School for use as a library. A group of local citizens met in Lott’s home to begin organizing the institution, and during a 1950 public meeting, Mineola Public Library was established. It opened in the school on May 22, 1950, with around 600 books catalogued.
In 1955, the library moved to the Reneau Building on South Johnson Street and then to an empty store building on North Johnson Street in 1957. However, the library would have to move again because of space limitations. The Judge family was instrumental in the fundraising campaign for a new building, including their help in convincing community leader Harry Meredith to donate $50,000 for the project. He set up the Meredith Foundation to handle the financial gift, and construction began on this location in 1959. The new building opened the next year. The facility and library features have expanded over the years. In addition to lending books, the library has also organized community events and offered a story reading program for young children.
In 1979, Mineola city representatives decided to discontinue financial support of the library. The institution then changed names, becoming a locally-funded library when the Meredith Foundation agreed to become its benefactor. Today, Mineola Memorial Library continues to encourage literacy for residents of all ages in the community. ,
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
. . This historical marker was erected in 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Mineola in Wood County Texas
Mineola Public Library (later Mineola Memorial Library) was established largely through the efforts of Vivian Williams Lott. She became interested in opening a public library after seeing one while working as a teacher in San Benito (Cameron Co.) in 1913. A 1940 effort stalled, but in November 1949, the Mineola School District offered an unused room in the Mineola Junior High School for use as a library. A group of local citizens met in Lott’s home to begin organizing the institution, and during a 1950 public meeting, Mineola Public Library was established. It opened in the school on May 22, 1950, with around 600 books catalogued.
In 1955, the library moved to the Reneau Building on South Johnson Street and then to an empty store building on North Johnson Street in 1957. However, the library would have to move again because of space limitations. The Judge family was instrumental in the fundraising campaign for a new building, including their help in convincing community leader Harry Meredith to donate $50,000 for the project. He set up the Meredith Foundation to handle the financial gift, and construction began on this location in 1959.
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The new building opened the next year. The facility and library features have expanded over the years. In addition to lending books, the library has also organized community events and offered a story reading program for young children.
In 1979, Mineola city representatives decided to discontinue financial support of the library. The institution then changed names, becoming a locally-funded library when the Meredith Foundation agreed to become its benefactor. Today, Mineola Memorial Library continues to encourage literacy for residents of all ages in the community.
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16338.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1950.
Location. 32° 39.93′ N, 95° 29.258′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is at the intersection of North Pacific Street (U.S. 69) and East Blair Street, on the left when traveling north on North Pacific Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North Pacific Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Mineola Memorial Library website - Early History. Notes the contribution of land provided by the J.C. Judge family (mentioned on the marker) to build the library. (Submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, March 28, 2023
3. Mineola Memorial Library
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on March 30, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
Mineola Public Library (later Mineola Memorial Library) was established largely through the efforts of Vivian Williams Lott. She became interested in opening a public library after seeing one while working as a teacher in San Benito (Cameron Co.) in 1913. A 1940 effort stalled, but in November 1949, the Mineola School District offered an unused room in the Mineola Junior High School for use as a library. A group of local citizens met in Lott’s home to begin organizing the institution, and during a 1950 public meeting, Mineola Public Library was established. It opened in the school on May 22, 1950, with around 600 books catalogued. 
