Lafayette Public Library
The mission of Lafayette Public Library is to enhance the quality of life of our community by providing free and equal access to high-quality, cost-effective library services that meet the needs and expectations of our diverse community for information, life-long learning, recreation, and cultural enrichment.
1897 - The "Women's Literary Club establishes a fund for the first lending library that serves until 1917.
Les Vingt Quatre Club
1932 - "Les Vingt Quatre Club" (The 24 Club) starts a library for juveniles during the Great Depression era. This library consists of 50 volumes on a bookcase located in the Parish courthouse. Operating hours are limited to two hours on Saturdays.
1942 - Lafayette Municipal Library is founded by the state as a potential "demonstration library" to be regulated by government in Baton Rouge, LA.
1946 - Old Southside School building is new space for state-funded parish library. Lucille Arceneaux is chosen as the first parish librarian and holds the post for 36 years. The state delivers 11,148 books. Doors open August 6. Circulation swells to over 76,000.
1953 - The parish library expands to include ten branch locations, maintains a bookmobile program, and boasts a collection of over 38,000 volumes. The first stand-alone public library building is constructed on land at the corner of Lee and Main streets. It opens March 29.
1963 - Celebrating 10 years at the Lee and Main street location, the library's collection now includes magazines, film and audio records. The book collection reaches 70,000 volumes. The operating budget is into the six-figure range.
1970 - The Lafayette Public Library trades the Lee and Main Street building for the present site at 301 W. Congress Street. Construction on the 3-story, 63,000 sq. ft. building commences.
Lafayette Public Library main building.
1973 - The new, modern public library opens January 29. The new library is later awarded the 1974 Louisiana Architects Association's Excellence in Design Award.
1979 - The Friends of the Lafayette Public Library is established to support the library and to raise community awareness of library tax issues. The Friends go on to become an indispensable asset to the continued growth of the library, sponsoring many of the library's programs and hosting the semiannual book sale.
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