The new Texas County Library in downtown Houston is set for dedication and an open house on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The announcement comes after 19 months of construction on the $2.9 million project that covers about 7,200 square feet on First Street. It is about double the size of the existing building, and it is the largest construction project to occur in the community since the completion of Tiger Fieldhouse in 2021.
A program is set for 1 p.m. Tours will continue until 3 p.m.
I had no idea the magnitude of what I was signing up for when I took the library director position almost four years ago. What an honor it is for me to be a part of this incredible project.”
A project of the Texas County Library Foundation, the library was made possible through a combination of grants and donations. Gentry Construction Co. Inc. of Houston was the general contractor. Sapp Design Architects of Springfield provided architectural services for the building that is the top level of the Houston Storm Shelter, which was constructed in 2007. It was engineered to include a library when funding could be obtained. Many of the subcontractors were Texas County businesses.
The project expands the library’s scope and mission in the county. Houston’s library has been at its current location since 1950. The new home features an expanded children’s section, a business center for entrepreneurs, a community room with advanced technology and public computer stations to serve patrons.
One of the shining sections is the Evelyn Dieckhaus Creative Center, a project of the foundation and Evelyn’s family. She was fatally shot in a Nashville school in March 2023. Her grandparents are Houston natives Joe and Kathy Richardson. Evelyn visited frequently in Houston and much of the center reflects her interests – ranging from butterflies and other critters. A giant mushroom sits in one corner with a frog perched on the top with a mural of native Ozark flowers on the wall. Many other features are included. Those interests are extended to the library’s lawn, where the Houston High School welding program completed a bench featuring a butterfly. Blake Talbott, a student, led the project.
The library closed on Monday, Sept. 22, to accommodate a large move that has been ongoing for several weeks. Beasley and her staff have lugged thousands of books to the new home located south of the existing home. In the meantime, library patrons can use facilities at Cabool, Licking and Summersville.
“The library board, staff and volunteers are absolutely the best in Missouri and are working so hard to get the building ready for our community,” said Beasley. “We are so excited for patrons to finally come in and see it.”
Volunteers spent hundreds of hours on the project. Members of the Texas County Library Foundation Board are Terry Jones, president; Brad Gentry, secretary; Janet Fraley, treasurer; Janice Lowe, Marilyn Frisbee, Ross Richardson, Sheila Walker and Kathy Richardson. The Texas County Library Board is Gwen Ross, president; Linda Roberts, secretary; Fraley, treasurer; Cathy Sirdoreus and Dala Whittaker, members. The library board members also fill a seat on the foundation.
Residents will see work at the building until opening day. That includes additional landscaping and paving a parking lot.
The first day of operation for the library is Monday, Oct. 20.