We own a vacation rental house at Lake O the Pines, Texas and were fortunate to spend time there over spring break. The charming old town of Jefferson is only twenty-five minutes from the lake house, and so it has become our “hometown away from home” whenever we’re in Northeast Texas.
Jefferson was founded in the early 1840’s and swelled to a peak population of over 4,000 in 1870. It has a colorful history that includes steamboats, visiting robber barons, supposedly haunted hotels, and a cemetery that holds Old West outlaws and a murdered woman known as “Diamond Bessie”.
In 1907, a Carnegie Library was built in Jefferson thanks to a gift from Andrew Carnegie.
Here’s a quote from the Jefferson library about the building’s history, “Andrew Carnegie was convinced of, and committed to, the notion that education was life’s key. He was convinced of the power of public access to information. Early in life, he learned by studying in the library in Allegheny City, Pennslyvania. It was an experience he never forgot, and which motivated his campaign of world-wide library-building.
Carnegie built 2,811 free libraries in all. Of these, 1,946 were located in the United States – at least one in every state except Rhode Island – 660 in Britain and Ireland, 156 in Canada. A handful of libraries were also scattered in places like New Zealand, the West Indies and even Fiji. He spent $41,233,853 on libraries in the U.S. alone.” Isn’t that a phenomenal legacy?!!
These days, Jefferson’s population hovers around 2,000 people, but they still have their 120-year-old library. Of the 32 Carnegie libraries built in Texas between 1898 and 1915, only 4 are still in operation as libraries. This one in Jefferson, and libraries in the towns of Ballinger, Stamford, and Franklin.
Since this library prefers to circulate hardbacks, I searched through my stash for hardback, large-print editions of my books as well as a few cases of retro audiobooks on CDs. Last week, I stopped by and donated them all. I wasn’t sure if they had patrons who would be interested in audiobooks on CDs, but happily the librarian assured me they did. It was an honor to see my books find such a good home!
While out and about in Jefferson, I also donated paperbacks to the bookshelves at The Hive coffee shop, where readers are encouraged to bring/take books.
And I spotted this darling “blind book” display in one of the shops…
I love when I’m able to combine two things I love. In this case–books and travel!
Do you donate books? If so, where is your favorite place to do so?
Becky Wade
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I love to donate books to our local public library used book store. The books then sell to avid readers, and the proceeds fund various library activities and purchases. However, before I donate, I share my books with a good friend who is an avid reader. She returns them to me after she has finished reading them.
Sounds like you are sharing/donating your books in wonderful ways!
Yes. I donate to the Friends of the Library at my local library.
I have also donated to the library books that are newer releases.
Perfect way to support your library!
Jefferson looks like a darling little town. I’ve donated some to my local library, but my favorite is to find Little Free Libraries to donate to. I particularly enjoy doing that when I travel. It’s a great way to tour the area with a fun scavenger hunt at the same time. Of course, I also like to see what I might find in those Little Free Libraries as well.
Love this!
I have copies of all your books that I donated to my Sunday School (now called Life Group :-)))). ) class. After reading each reader writes their name on the inside front cover and then returns it to the “Book Bag”.
Such a great idea to write their names.
Such a great system for sharing books!
Jefferson looks like a town I would love to visit. Thanks for the tour!
I have a “huge” number of books. I n the past five years I have been trying to find homes for many of my books. I have a reading friend on the west coast that likes many of the same genres, so I send books to her frequently. She forwards some to friends and some to her church library. I donate in October to our church bazaar.
Ideal way to support your friend’s love of reading, her church library, AND your church’s bazaar. 🙂
I just want to say “THANK YOU” for donating your books!!! I live in St. Louis and do not understand why, but our libraries won’t take donations of even brand new books.
Oh, wow! I’m surprised to hear that your libraries won’t take donations.
I give them to the public library.
Wonderful, Becky!
Wonderful post, Becky. Loved all the pics and getting a peek into what you’ve been up to. I donate books routinely. I always keep a couple in the car with me, especially when we’re traveling. Little bookshops, like you said, and just new friends I meet along the way. God meetings, I like to think of them. : )
This is inspiring me to keep books in the car with me, too!
I live in a Christian Retirement Center in independent living. We have a very nice library; fiction is our largest section. I donate books to our library. Also I periodically preorder Christian fiction books by favorite authors and donate them to our library. I feel that is a ministry; it helps the authors and provides new books for our library. In addition I get to enjoy them.
What a wonderful way to enjoy Christian fiction and then share that joy with others, Ruth!
The bookcase of the chemo unit at a hospital where I visit for medical appointments
Brilliant place to donate! Books can provide such a refuge for people when they’re going through a hard time.
Loved this post, Becky!
I’ve donated lots of books to the women’s shelter in my county (for victims of domestic abuse). I always tuck an uplifting Christian tract inside and pray that it will help someone who’s sttuggling to know they’re loved.
That’s a fabulous place to donate, Patti Jo!
Andrew Carnegie was inspired by Enoch Pratt, a wealthy Baltimore businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Pratt gifted money for a public library to the City of Baltimore. Today the Enoch Pratt Free Library system has 24 branches throughout Baltimore. A few of the older branches have the architectural features of a Carnegie Library but they aren’t.
Thanks for sharing that history. Fascinating!
That was very interesting about all the libraries Andrew Carnegie donated. I looked up Minnesota and there was a very large number donated by him, with many still being used as libraries. Great information!