Jacinto City Branch Library Collection
Jacinto City Branch Library Collection
Browse all items in the collection. Or visit the digital exhibit Jacinto City Branch Library.
Branch History
In the late 1940s, the Jacinto City community was placed on the HCPL bookmobile schedule, with a stop in the community every three weeks. In 1957, the citizens of Jacinto City requested a library branch, and a library board was created. The city council approved transforming the former City Hall building, and after a small renovation, the library opened on July 2, 1958.
The building held 2,600-3,000 books, and Dorothy Bowyer was hired as the librarian.
The library was immensely popular with the community. The building was expanded in 1961 to add a reading room and again in 1979 to add a public restroom and staff office. The branch depended heavily on community support, from book donations to fundraising for repairs and improvements.
In 1987, the Jacinto City Council approved a $2 million bond proposal for new city buildings, including a new library. The site for the new library, which was finally selected in 1992, came with a massive tree at the front of the lot. The groundbreaking occurred in 1993, and the library officially opened on January 9, 1994. Dorothy Bowyer, who had retired in 1989, attended the grand opening. Bowyer, who had campaigned heavily for establishing the library in the 1950s and for multiple expansions and renovations, told a local paper: "I'm really thrilled to see the city get a new library."
In 2011, an addition to the back of the building was constructed, and the interior was renovated. The building reopened on December 27, 2011.
Further Reading
Read a history of the Jacinto City branch written in 1973.
Read a list of the Five Year Goals for the branch written in 1976.
Read a history of the Jacinto City branch written in 1978.
Read a profile of the Jacinto City community compiled in 1979.
Read a history of the Jacinto City Library written in 1982.
Browse all items in the collection. Or visit the digital exhibit Jacinto City Branch Library.
Branch History
In the late 1940s, the Jacinto City community was placed on the HCPL bookmobile schedule, with a stop in the community every three weeks. In 1957, the citizens of Jacinto City requested a library branch, and a library board was created. The city council approved transforming the former City Hall building, and after a small renovation, the library opened on July 2, 1958.
The building held 2,600-3,000 books, and Dorothy Bowyer was hired as the librarian.
The library was immensely popular with the community. The building was expanded in 1961 to add a reading room and again in 1979 to add a public restroom and staff office. The branch depended heavily on community support, from book donations to fundraising for repairs and improvements.
In 1987, the Jacinto City Council approved a $2 million bond proposal for new city buildings, including a new library. The site for the new library, which was finally selected in 1992, came with a massive tree at the front of the lot. The groundbreaking occurred in 1993, and the library officially opened on January 9, 1994. Dorothy Bowyer, who had retired in 1989, attended the grand opening. Bowyer, who had campaigned heavily for establishing the library in the 1950s and for multiple expansions and renovations, told a local paper: "I'm really thrilled to see the city get a new library."
In 2011, an addition to the back of the building was constructed, and the interior was renovated. The building reopened on December 27, 2011.
Further Reading
Read a history of the Jacinto City branch written in 1973.
Read a list of the Five Year Goals for the branch written in 1976.
Read a history of the Jacinto City branch written in 1978.
Read a profile of the Jacinto City community compiled in 1979.
Read a history of the Jacinto City Library written in 1982.
Scrapbooks
The collection includes seven scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and photographs documenting the branch's history.
Volume 1 (1958-1959) - Focuses on the campaign to build a library for the community, the grand opening in 1958, and events and activities during the first two years.
Volume 2 (1960-1964) - Highlights include the library addition opened in 1961 and activities of the Friends of the Library.
Volume 3 (1965-1972) - Highlights include correspondence between Branch Librarian Dorothy Bowyer and the City of Jacinto City and questions for book group discussions.
Volume 4 (1973-1978) - Highlights include the 15th anniversary of the branch, summer reading program activities, photographs of a pet parade, and newspaper articles related to donations to the branch.
Volume 5 (1979-1988) - Highlights include brochures from Summer Reading Programs, the 25th-anniversary celebration, and librarian Dorothy Bowyer's retirement in 1989.
Volume 6 (1979-1983) - Highlights include photographs of the new annex construction and the 25th anniversary celebration in 1983.
Volume 7 (1992-1993) - Highlights include the groundbreaking and grand opening of the new Jacinto City Branch Library.
Scrapbooks
The collection includes seven scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and photographs documenting the branch's history.
Volume 1 (1958-1959) - Focuses on the campaign to build a library for the community, the grand opening in 1958, and events and activities during the first two years.
Volume 2 (1960-1964) - Highlights include the library addition opened in 1961 and activities of the Friends of the Library.
Volume 3 (1965-1972) - Highlights include correspondence between Branch Librarian Dorothy Bowyer and the City of Jacinto City and questions for book group discussions.
Volume 4 (1973-1978) - Highlights include the 15th anniversary of the branch, summer reading program activities, photographs of a pet parade, and newspaper articles related to donations to the branch.
Volume 5 (1979-1988) - Highlights include brochures from Summer Reading Programs, the 25th-anniversary celebration, and librarian Dorothy Bowyer's retirement in 1989.
Volume 6 (1979-1983) - Highlights include photographs of the new annex construction and the 25th anniversary celebration in 1983.
Volume 7 (1992-1993) - Highlights include the groundbreaking and grand opening of the new Jacinto City Branch Library.
Staff Spotlight: Dorothy Bowyer
Dorothy Bowyer was hired as the first librarian for the Jacinto City Branch Library in 1958. An early and enthusiastic champion of establishing a library for the city, Bowyer took courses in library science at the University of Houston. She served as the librarian for the branch for 31 years, retiring in 1989.
