National Friends of the Library Week, October 18-24, is a time to celebrate Friends groups and recognize all they do for both the library and the community. Over the years, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library has certainly gotten by with a lot of help from its Friends.
Organized in 1963 to promote interest in the library, the group’s first chairperson, Mrs. Eugene Whittaker explained that the Friends of the Library is to a library what the
P. T. A. is to a school.
The group was instrumental in the restoration of the library which was housed solely in the Clark building. Early refurbishments included a new card catalogue, magazine racks, a new atlas, an atlas stand, and a new seating area.
In 2000-2001 with help and prodding from the Friends, the library underwent a major restoration of the Clark Building along with an expansion into the first floor of the Masonic building. The Friends began the annual Evening with the Authors to raise funds for the library and to introduce the community to well-known authors.
In 2012 when the city began renovation of the second and third floors of the Masonic Building, the Friends initiated a memorial brick campaign to line the new entrance. During this time of construction and constant change, the Friends managed to host the annual book sale and fund the summer reading program.
In June 2014 the Friends donated $75,000 to furnish the first ever teen room, the new second floor adult fiction and nonfiction area, and window shades for all three floors. As result of its support and advocacy for the library, the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library was the 2015 winner of the Baker and Taylor Award for outstanding support of the library.
Since 1989 the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library has been a major sponsor and organizer of A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart now known as A Christmas to Remember in Lockhart. The annual event makes the library the focal point for free family events.
In 2026 the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library continues its support of the library by providing funds for programming such as the Summer Reading Program, the Books for Babies Literacy Project,, Spring Break Activities, Baby Day, the Adult Book Club, events like A Christmas to Remember in Lockhart , Mini Con and Dia De Los Ninos along with much needed library equipment.
Funding is raised through the annual book sale, A Christmas to Remember in Lockhart sponsorships, the Christmas at the Library luncheon, special benefits like the Caldwell Creatives Art Show, membership fees, and donations. Joining the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library is a great way to make new friends, give back to your community and make the library even better.
To learn more about the Friends, visit the library at 217 S. Main and pick up a membership brochure or go to the website at dreugeneclarkfriends.org. The next Friends of the Library meeting is November 10 at 6pm at the library.