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Whitewright Public Library

Library History

In 1966, the Whitewright Friday Literary Club presented a program "Does Our Town Need a Library?" Inspired by the program, members began preparations to open a public library in the former bank building, which had been donated to the City.

The library officially opened April 9, 1967, with 1,200 books on the shelf. Members of the Friday Literary Club volunteered their time to keep the library in operation. In 1969, the City of Whitewright passed an ordinance making the library official and organized a library board.

In 1978, the library was accredited by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. That same year, a new municipal building was completed, and volunteers moved 7,000 books into new quarters.

Community support is still very strong for the library, but our "community" reaches far outside the immediate area. Patrons from nearby towns and rural areas with no local library and many from Dallas’ growing northern suburbs use our facilities.

The City of Whitewright has a population of 1,604 according to the 2010 census. Our population served is 2,446 according to Texas Public Library Statistics for 2012.