Library History

	The Mexia Public Library began in 1903 when the Women's Friday Club obtained a room 16'x16' in the Old Mexia City Hall. The Library opened with 270 books and $6.50 in cash, for three afternoons a week, 4-7 pm. A year later the Library was granted a portion of the city hall's lower floor where it remained until 1922.
	In the early 1920s Mexia became an oil boom town. This prosperity brought new interest to the library with $1000 donated to purchase a lot five blocks from the center of town. A leading citizen, J.K. Hughes, lent a sum of $12,500 to build a brick building. This building was occupied by the library for 26 years.
	In 1949, the sum of $200,000 was granted to the Library by Mr.& Mrs. Jesse Jones of Houston. Mrs. Jones also donated the old home plot of her parents as the location of the new library building and dedicated it to their memory; thus the Mexia Public Library became known as Gibbs Memorial Library. The new 6,650 square foot building was opened to the public on April 1, 1950. Unfortunately, the building suffered from structural defects a decision was made in December 1971 to demolish the building and build a new one with additional funds from the Houston Endowment.
	The new building was opened on June 1, 1975. The library's growth continued and the Houston Endowment again came forward with a grant for a new wing which was completed in October 1984.

  In February 1991, Miss Ruth Clark, Gibbs Memorial Librarian for 40 years, died and left one-half of her estate to Gibbs Memorial Library. This inheritance formed an irrevocable trust with the interest only to be used for permanent improvements, books, etc. Three thousand volumes were added to the library collection. The library obtained its first computer in 1987 through a grant from the Central Texas Library System. In the mid 1990s, the library became automated. Funds for this project came from Miss Clark's generosity and a grant from the Jones Foundation. On September 29, 2019 an arson fire destroyed about 95% of library contents and caused significant structural damage to the Children’s Room. With generous donations from the community, sister libraries, and grants, a temporary location opened downtown with 200 books and 4 public access computers on November 4, 2019. The library was gutted, rebuilt, and the keys returned to library staff in July 2020. A Grand Re-Opening was held on November 4, 2020. Presently the library has twelve public access computers and over 40,000 volumes for checkout, including audiobooks, magazines, and movies. Two full-time and two part-time employees serve a population numbered at 14,759.