Main Library History

Where It Started

1928

Residents petitioned the City Commission for a $25,000 bond issue to construct a public library building for McAllen. Although the bond issue failed, interest in creating a public library for the community continued growing.

1932

The McAllen Study Club, led by its president Mrs. W.H. Moon, helped establish McAllen’s first library. Residents donated books, while memberships were offered for 50 cents or the donation of a “good” book to the collection. The Chamber of Commerce provided a room in its building to house the library. Miss Eleanor Hambrick served as the first volunteer librarian, while Mrs. W.C. Stewart became the library’s first cataloguer.

The library officially opened on November 12, 1932, issuing 300 membership cards on its first day. At the time, the library contained only 60 books and operated only on Saturdays. Donations quickly expanded the collection, with 200 additional books arriving during the first week alone. Within a month, the library had grown to 400 members and 1,144 volumes.

Like many subscription libraries of the era, borrowing rules were strict. Members could check out one book at a time for one week, with the option to renew once. Students and children were not initially allowed to join, and overdue fines were set at 10 cents per week.

1934

As the collection and membership continued growing, the library relocated to a room inside First Baptist Church on Beech Avenue.

1936

Two years later, the library moved again to the basement of the Archer Park Bandstand. By then, the collection had expanded to 2,575 volumes. Additional operating days were also added, allowing members to visit on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

1939

The library began operating daily. By that time, membership had grown to 1,823 people, with a collection totaling 4,429 volumes. Its popularity quickly outpaced the available space, creating the need for a larger facility.

1944

The library petitioned for municipal status with the understanding that the city would oversee operations without directly funding it. Fundraising efforts began for the construction of a permanent library building, with organizers working toward a goal of $65,000.

Progress was slow during the wartime years of World War II, and overcrowding at the Archer Park Bandstand eventually forced part of the growing collection into storage.

A Downtown Library for Generations

1949

Enough funds had finally been raised to purchase land for a permanent library building. Property for the future McAllen Memorial Library was purchased at 600 N. Main St. from Pete Bonneau for $10,000. Construction began later that year while fundraising efforts continued throughout the community.

The building was designed by architect Zeb Rike, with construction completed by Marchant Brothers of Mercedes at a cost of $23,751. Because the full amount could not be raised through donations alone, the remaining balance was financed through city taxes.

1950

McAllen Memorial Library officially opened and was dedicated on May 28, 1950. The library was established as a memorial to McAllen residents who served and died during World War II.

The Children’s Department was housed in the original portion of the building. Over the years, additional expansions were added, including a second-floor mezzanine and a third floor for administrative offices. At its largest, the downtown library building totaled approximately 34,000 square feet.

Expanding the Library System

2001

McAllen Public Library expanded into a three-branch library system with the opening of Palm View Branch Library at 3401 Jordan Ave. in south McAllen and Lark Branch Library at 2601 Lark Ave. in north McAllen. Both branch libraries officially opened in January 2001.

Each branch library is located inside its respective community center, Palm View Community Center and Lark Community Center. While the community centers each span approximately 31,500 square feet, the library spaces themselves occupy about 11,000 square feet each, providing residents with access to books, public computers, programs, and neighborhood library services throughout the city.

A New Main Library

2011

Over the years, both the community and the library system outgrew the Main Street location. After serving generations of residents, the former Main Library officially closed on November 23, 2011. Visitors can view photos from Old Main Library’s final day of operation as the library prepared for its next chapter at the following link: Photos of Old Main's Last Day

On December 10, 2011, McAllen Public Library opened its new Main Library at the corner of Nolana Avenue & 23rd Street inside a redesigned former retail building. The City of McAllen recognized the potential of the vacant structure and transformed it into a modern public library designed by the Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle architectural firm.

At 123,000 square feet, the new Main Library became recognized as the largest single-story library in the United States at the time of its opening, spanning nearly two-and-a-half football fields. The building incorporates environmentally sustainable design features inspired by movement, migration, and local wildlife while providing expanded space for collections, study areas, public computers, exhibits, programs, and community events.

The opening also reflected the continued growth of the library system, with collections reaching more than 376,000 items and approximately 90 full- and part-time staff members. During the new library’s first month of operation, new library card registrations increased significantly compared to the same period the previous year.

View this video from arch2o.com about the planning of New Main:
https://www.arch2o.com/mcallen-library-msr-design/

Branches Reimagined

2023

After more than 20 years of serving the community, Lark Branch Library and Palm View Branch Library celebrated refreshed spaces with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony marking their updated interiors.

The revitalized branches introduced new colors, updated designs, and comfortable new furniture intended to create welcoming spaces for reading, studying, and gathering. Community members were invited to celebrate the upgrades as both branches began a new chapter while continuing their long-standing role within the McAllen Public Library system.

MPL Today

Now

McAllen Public Library continues serving the community today as a three-branch library system offering books, digital resources, public computers, literacy programs, cultural events, exhibits, workshops, and community gathering spaces for residents of all ages.

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