The Harper Library began in June, 2004, with a letter to the editor in The Harper News. Seven people met in response to the letter. This group and others began meeting monthly to plan and organize for a library. The library opened its doors to the public on April 6, 2006.
The library started in the small house behind Dauna's on Hwy. 290. The collection started with donated books from area residents and other libraries, and soon outgrew the first site and searched to find a new home. We moved to our current location in November, 2006. Along with the move, the library staff converted the entire collection to an automated program allowing patrons to browse the collection, renew and reserve books from home. New furniture and shelving were added throughout the library. Laptop computers were purchased to provide internet access for our patrons. All of these additions were possible through grants from LCRA, Tocker Foundation, and The Hal & Charlie Peterson Foundation. Without their support the library staff would not have been able to move forward this quickly.
Support also has been very generous from our area land owners and residents. The library has thirty-seven Charter Donors and two platinum donors who have donated at least $1000. Other people have also given generously with donations, memorials, and as sustaining donors (persons who give a minimum of $10 per month for operating expenses) and the library has several of these. The major source of our operating funds is from the generosity of our community and surrounding areas.
Fund raising events over the four years have included four Annual Music Fests, two home tours, Double B Fireworks Jamborees, Attic Sales, Saturday in the Park, raffles, and many, many book sales. The Harper Library Resale shop was opened in May 2008 to provide ongoing operating funds. They are temporarily closed, but hope to reopen soon. While open, their profits were a wonderful source of part of the income needed to fund our operating expenses.
When the library opened the collection included about 4000 books processed and ready for check out. Now the collection totals about 11,000 materials-- books, books-on-tape & CD's, videos & DVD's, periodicals, and newspapers. There is a a public meeting room available for local organizations to reserve. Laptop computers and a wireless connection are available for public use.
Summer Reading Programs have been held each July for children and this year the fifth Summer Reading Program will be sponsored. Annual essay contests for Middle and High School students are co-sponsored with The Harper News.They also have instituted a "Books on Wheels" program where they deliver books to persons unable to drive.
All of these accomplishments have kept our Library volunteers very busy! Yes, everyone at the library is a volunteer and thousands of hours have been volunteered to make the Harper Lubrary a vibrant and important part of the Harper area. The volunteers at the Harper Library are very proud of their accomplishment and invite all in the area to come and enjoy all the library services.
