We are so excited here at the Library! We are just at the very beginning of having a study done on our beautiful, historic Longview Public Library. We are looking at ways that we can provide some modernization (i.e. things like more electrical outlets) and ways to use our current space to provide better service to the entire community, while keeping the wonderful historic character of the building.
The Library (pictured above) was built in in 1926 as a gift from R.A. Long to the entire Longview community both then and for the future. He believed that education and community were critical in the building and growing of the vision he had for Longview. He spent $150,000 of his own funds to build the Library. Mrs. Long oversaw a local book drive that helped fill the shelves when the building first opened. In the 1950’s the Library was given an interior remodel. However, by the 1960’s the Library had outgrown its original size and a bond measure was passed to renovate and expand the beautiful Georgian Revival building. In 1968 the newly expanded Library opened up its 33,000 square feet to the community and beyond. In the early 2000’s the roofs were repaired and replaced, a new entranceway was created, and the building was seismically retrofitted. Now, we are looking to the future. We are your Longview Public Library and we do not want your input in this process, we need it. We will put out more information as it becomes available, but we are tentatively planning a community meeting on May 31 so that we can get your input, and your ideas, on what you want for your library now and in the future. We hope to see you there.
