Library System Prepares for 75th Anniversary Celebration in October
Fort Bend County Libraries is commemorating its 75th Anniversary in the fall, and preparations have begun for a county-wide celebration to mark the historic occasion. Events, activities, and displays throughout the library system in September and October will culminate with a Platinum Jubilee on Saturday, October 8, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at George Memorial Library in Richmond.
A 1940s Day Open House will take place on Monday, October 3, at all locations throughout the library system in salute to the decade that Fort Bend County Libraries was founded. Step back in time – and bring a camera for a fun photo op! – as library employees county-wide recreate the spirit of the ‘40s!
Take a peek back in time at what life looked like when the library first began, from hairstyles and dress to memorabilia spanning the last 75 years. Stop by the Missouri City Branch to see an exhibit of the evolution of technology, or swing by the Cinco Ranch Branch to see 75 years of bestsellers (September) and cultural memorabilia of the 1940s (October).
Enjoy a day of vintage games and lemonade when George Memorial Library in Richmond hosts a “1940s Board Game Day” on Saturday, September 24, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Reminisce about family game days from through the years while playing board games like Scrabble, Monopoly™, or Clue™, or other games like jacks, pick-up sticks, and cards! This activity is for all ages, but children should be elementary-school aged and up.
Vintage movies from the 1940s will be shown at two locations: see a dark comedy classic starring Cary Grant at the Missouri City Branch on September 21, at 6:00 pm, or an animated Disney class at the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch on September 24 and October 1.
Share Your Memories
The public is also encouraged to participate in the festivities by sharing memories of the libraries or ways the libraries have impacted their lives. Memories, stories, and pictures can be shared by submission on FBCL’s website (see the “Celebrating 75 Years” icon), by emailing celebrating@fortbend.lib.tx.us, or by sharing them in person at the libraries.
Fort Bend County Libraries - A Little History
The dream of a public library system for Fort Bend County began in 1947 with 12 women who wanted to share their love of reading with all people across the county. Their goal was to make books accessible to everyone.
From a humble beginning of 1,000 books and a bookmobile, the library system’s collection has grown to more than 1.1-million books, audiovisual materials, and digital selections. There are now more than 375,000 cardholders who frequent the 11 library locations throughout the county. The library system has averaged about 3 million checkouts annually over recent years.
Through the diligent efforts of those 12 dedicated women and the overwhelming support of the citizens of Fort Bend County, the library system has grown into a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art entity, providing a foundation for the launching of great minds to careers and lives around the world. One wonders if the women who decided to pioneer a library as their service project for the year ever envisioned the magnitude of their dream or the countless lives that would be affected?
To see a history of the Fort Bend County library system, visit https://bit.ly/FBCL_LibraryHistory.
All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4723.
