Fort Bend County Libraries is 75 years old this year! Help us celebrate by telling us what you love most about your library! You can fill out the form by clicking here. We will post your message on this page for everyone to read!
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.
Share your memories ...
In preparation for a 75th anniversary celebration in October, Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) is very interested in gathering memories that members of the community have of any and all of the library branches in the Fort Bend County library system. Was it the smell of books that sparks special memories, or was it the excitement of earning a trophy each summer? Who remembers the days of eagerly waiting for the bookmobiles?! Did the long-running Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival foster a love of the theater? What are YOUR memories of the library?
FBCL is seeking old photos of events, people, and places significant to the library system over the past 75 years. Written memories are also encouraged, and videotaped testimonials of library memories would be most welcome!
Photos, stories, and videos may be submitted in a number of ways. The first way is by submitting online through the FBCL website -- click on the link above, complete the online form, and upload the photo, video, or document. Second, they may be emailed to celebrating@fortbend.lib.tx.us. The third way to submit is by visiting any of the library locations – FBCL staff will be happy to scan or assist with submitting the items.
When submitting the items, please include any relevant information, such as date, place, a description of the item, names of people, and permission by the creator to share the piece.
The memories, photos, and testimonials will be added to the library system’s archives in the Genealogy and Local History Department as an online album for all to enjoy for years to come.
"The first library I ever went to was the little building by what was then Polly Ryon in the early 1980s. We were still using the card catalog then. In a few years, George Memorial was built, and wow, what a change that was for a kid like me. To go from a small library to this great big (two-story!) modern building -- well, it seemed to be a pretty amazing place. And it has been so ever since. Where else around here could you find an amphitheater?! (How cool it was to go to performances there, and to perform concerts there myself in high school band!) The computer system made it extra easy to find the items I wanted. I did the summer reading program every year of my young life and loved racking up all the rewards and trophies. I've always been a reader, but Fort Bend County Libraries made it so easy and fun to be one. It doesn't cost patrons a cent, and it gives the community so much. Here's to another 75 years at least!"
- Kim M.
"The impact of the library has been tremendous on my children. I really have seen the growth in my children since bringing them to the different enriching programs that the library has provided. My favorite memory is when my children started to engage in the activities in the programs and displaying those things that they have learned outside. Thank you for all the wonderful opportunities you have provided for the community."
- Lavie R.
“I like this library because ever since I was little, the librarians were kind and helpful as they are now.”
- Justin S.
"I fondly recall all the summer reading trophies and medals each year. Loved going to the old library and browsing the front room for my selections. When I had research papers due in junior high and high school, I felt special to search the adult section books. The card catalogs were always neat and in order. The ladies were always helpful too. FBC has always had a great library system."
- Kathleen D.
"We love coming to this library because it's children friendly. Our children come to the library every Monday for the Pajama Night Story Time. They are friendly staff, especially in the children section."
- Adeola A.
"At closing every night we hid the money behind a book in an unpopular non fiction section. It was said the ghosts in the books came out and played at night. I worked in that location 1985 - 1986. Every evening and every Saturday. That is what part timers did in those days. Then moved to new library."
- Wanda W.
“I love books! Of course, I have to love libraries. I love libraries as a small child living in Mississippi. Now I’m 70 years old and living in Ft. Bend County since 1993. I have visited many of the branches in the FBCL system. May of the branches have allowed me to share my hobbies w/ other library patrons. Whenever I put up a display, I would include books w/ the display topic. I’m attaching a few photos of displays I have done at FBCL branches over the year. My last display was July 2022 at George Memorial and involved barbeque.”
- King L., Jr.
"BIG treat in Needville was when the 'BOOKMOBILE' came to town! Still have my card!"
- Tim T.
"I rode my bike to this library during the summers starting in 1960. I read all the books in the children’s section about horses and native Americans. I also read many biographies."
- Jane C.
"As a kid growing up in a very small rural town in Texas, the school library was a big part of my growing up -- I think I read every book in it before graduating to high school in a nearby larger town. Living in Fulshear, I see similarities with the Bob Lutts Fulshear-Simonton Library offering reading contests, access to computers, and a variety of enrichment activities for the kids in the area. As a members of the Friends of the Bob Lutts Fulshear-Simonton Library, I witnessed the efforts that we took on via used book sales to raise money to donate back to the Library for specialty equipment and a variety of programs for the children to enjoy. It is a great feeling to see that all kids can enjoy the library and begin to develop a love of reading. This basic skill is so necessary for lifelong fulfillment and any future success."
- Kaye K.
“I don't tell many people this but I do not have a formal education to speak of. Most of what I know I have taught myself. In fact, the last grade I completed was the 9th grade. I got my GED when I was 18 and later attended a technical school. I tested out of the first two quarters because I learned basic electronic theory from books at the library. Without cash to buy books the only resource I had was the public library. You have been helping me for years without knowing it, and I am glad to return the favor. I am positive there are countless others that we don't know about. I feel that illiteracy, in all of its forms, is a form of slavery that doesn't allow a person to function properly in society, nor does it allow their intellect to grow. I have visited several cities in Mexico and many of them do not have a public library. I feel that it is so important that the public use the resources that are readily available to them and not take them for granted. I can see how librarians could feel like they have a thankless job. Please remind them for me that the services the library provides are essential to our community and tell them I said "THANK YOU!" I am looking forward for the opportunity to create more WIN WIN situations for our community by forging meaningful partnerships with other grassroots organizations like yours. Together we can make a difference.......”
- Joe M.
"We moved to Fort Bend County in 2016, and starting coming to the library shortly after. We have enjoyed all the many youth programs offered, especially the Summer Reading Challenge! My kids LOVE the trophy they earn each summer when they meet their reading goal! They have a shelf in their rooms with their trophies lined up! Thank you FBCL for your support and dedication to making reading fun -- even for my reluctant reader!"
- Sandy J.
"I love the library! This is my go to place! It has helped me so much through the years in helping me educate my children and myself. I am so much more informed and able to reach my goals because of the resources and information it has provided. Thank you so much!"
- Devanah M.
“I well remember the book mobile coming to Needville Elementary School. I was always very exciting to be able to get on and choose books. It was great!”
- Diane T.
“I was here when this library (Fulshear) was opened. I have loved this library all these years. I do not know how I would have made it through the last 2 years. They were there for me and brought the books out to my car. I always see young children who also love this library. I hope they keep this library open.”
- Renee J.
"I started out as a volunteer. Then in 1978 I was hired part time while I was still in high school. I was hired by Miss Stavinoha and worked in the “Old Building”. It was a small building! Story time and summer reading club was held in the detached garage behind the library. Storage was in short supply so boxes were piled in any available space. We would direct people to the restrooms and they would come back and say that was the store room! We would say “Keep going, the toilet is all the way in the back!” When Polly Ryan Hospital next door got helicopter service, they would fly low directly over the library—it would sound like we were being attacked! (I always wanted to yell “Air Raid!”). Library cards were paper and we typed the patron’s name on it. If it was a child, they had a “J” before the number (for juvenile). We would call the patrons on the phone about overdue books. Fines were 2 cents a day. When a person was hired to take over the paperwork, her office was in a closet. After a while she was moved to a smaller closet and the Genealogy Library was born in that area. After college & marriage, we moved back to the area and I was hired part time to work at the Mamie George Branch. I was hired by Lorri Lessey (at one point she had hired most of the new staff in the library system!) Even back then people were asking for a bigger library on the east side of the county! After a few months I transferred to GML Circ and then to reference. George Memorial was big and beautiful after the ‘old building’! It was so big that we used to get 20 minutes for breaks instead of 15—we got an extra 5 minutes for ‘travel time’! In 1990 I was transferred to the Albert George Branch as the manager. It was great fun working in Needville and all the excellent staff. We got to know our patrons and their kids. Since the number of staff was small, all of us were involved in the summer reading program. The summer carnivals were great fun and the kids had a blast! Since the library was next to the elementary school the teachers would bring their classes over to check out books. We offered personal service and loved seeing kids grow up and then bring their families to the library. Even after being retired, I still visit the library almost every week to check out books! Fort Bend County Libraries is the best in the state! PS: The best smelling book is World Book Encyclopedia!"
- Patricia D.
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"We always had fun working the Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival. Although it was a LOT of work, it was worth it to see how much the community enjoyed it. I was in charge of turkey legs, and we perfected the art of making nachos in record time! We sat through so many performances of “The Complete Works of Wllm Shakespeare” that we could have stepped right in as understudies for the actors! That one was hilarious! John Corley (the director from HCC) was such a genius at transforming traditional Shakespeare into modern renditions that actually made it FUN and understandable! He made “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” a 1950s sock hop! He did “Godspell” one year, too – that performance was standing-room-only every evening! When my son was in elementary school, his favorite performance ended up being “Henry V” because he loved the sword fights! We often had Claude the Juggler as a warm-up to the performances, too – he was always so popular with the crowd! When my son was taking Algebra in junior high, he had trouble trying to figure out how it was even possible to add numbers and letters together, but FBCL’s Brainfuse came to the rescue. It was like a lightbulb came on – all it took was the Brainfuse tutor to explain it from a different perspective. A couple of years later, Brainfuse came through again with Calculus. He was so impressed that he told his football buddies about it, too. He’s a CPA now, so I guess we can say that Brainfuse really paid off for us. When I was little, my mom would drop me off at the old library by Polly Ryon Hospital. I loved the smell of the books as soon as you walked in. I would head to the shelves to the left of the entrance, and scan them for the books with the horse sticker on the spine. I loved reading about horses! I went off to college in Lubbock when George Memorial Library was being built, so I didn’t see it until I finally came back home and it was already finished. I was AMAZED to see this new HUGE library!! It really had the “WOW” factor! Dr. Isaac Kleinman was involved with the Friends of the Library back then – he really believed in the importance of a library to the well-being of a community." - Michele P. "My first library experience was the building that is still standing by Polly Ryon hospital (now Oak Bend). That area really was “my world” for at least the first 13 years or so of my life. I was born at Polly Ryon as were several of my siblings. We lived just down the street from the library at the corner of South Eleventh and Morton. My mother ran Lucile Davis Flower Shop right out of the front of our home. It was a gathering place of sorts. From Football mums, weddings and funerals and all the holidays. People would stop in and chat with Georgia. My mother knew Miss Mamie (George). I’d walk to Downtown Richmond and go to Pete’s Five & Dime and later to Post Office Pharmacy and Eats & Sweets. Also Edelstein’s. I don’t think I ever walked to the library. Possibly because it was across “the highway.” My mother was a reader, when she could find the time off from working. I remember bugging her when she was trying to read! We were all taken in to the library and obtained our library cards at a young age. I believe I recall the children’s section of the library being up front and to the right hand side as you entered. I clearly remember we were meant to be totally silent & if we spoke at all it had to be at whisper volume or we were shushed! We used the card catalog and for the longest time I knew my Dewey Decimal system by heart. You would manually open the narrow little drawers and flip through the index cards. There was a card in a slot at the back of the book that would be hand stamped with your due date?! One of my favorite first books was Go Dog Go! I have had the good fortune of living near a Fort Bend County library branch my entire life. We moved from South Eleventh to Country Club Estates and the George Memorial Library was built. Then in the late 80’s I moved to Sugar Land & that branch is down the street from me. Our library system is the best thing going and we are very spoiled. They know my name at the Sugar Land branch because I am always on the wait list for new books. Very convenient. Amazing service! Even during the Pandemic. So my childhood reminiscences include the library. I wish I could go back in time and open the door to that first library." - Ann A.
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