Blanco Public Library

The Blanco Library was established by the Blanco Woman's Club on October 12, 1938. Under the leadership of Mrs. Maude Chick, the club's president, and Mrs. Elmer Dale, the chairman of the library committee, the club organized its first fundraising event, a Silver Tea. Mr. Robert Fulcher offered space in his drug store (now Strickland's Drug Store) for the library's initial collection of 400 books, loaned by the Texas State Library. The library officially opened on November 19, 1938. It operated without public funding for nearly five decades, relying on the Blanco Woman's Club's per capita assessments, bake sales, cake walks, luncheons, book sales, private donations, and memorials. The Fraternal Order of the Eagles' ladies' auxiliary significantly enhanced the collection through grants for large print books.

On April 27, 1976, the Blanco Woman's Club filed to create Blanco Library, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, making donations tax-deductible. In 1988, a bequest from James A. Williams allowed the library to purchase 310 Pecan Street. The library, renamed the James A. and Evelyn Williams Memorial Library, expanded into an adjacent building to add a children's room.

In 2000, the library moved to a 3,800-square-foot building at 1118 Main Street, previously a restaurant. Community and foundation fundraising efforts, along with proceeds from selling the old building, financed this expansion. The new location opened in April 2000, with volunteer librarian Sandra Paine donating her $1 annual salary back to the library.

With the introduction of Library Districts in Texas, an election formed the Blanco County South Library District in February 2002. Blanco Library, Inc. transferred operations to the District Board of Trustees. This transition allowed 0.5% of sales tax collected in Precincts 1 and 4 of Blanco County, excluding the City of Blanco, to fund library operations. Additionally, Blanco County contributes $6,000 annually, and the City of Blanco provides $15,000. Grants support specific projects like expanding computer access, special programs, and equipment purchases. Mildred Doran, an early Woman's Club member, endowed assets for staff salaries, using only the interest.

In 2016, a successful fundraising campaign allowed for the library's expansion and renovation. The project added a large conference room, a small conference room, two study rooms, a reading room, a kitchen, storage, and a computer lab, expanding the library by 50%.

To meet the growing community's needs, land has been purchased, and plans drawn for a new building, although fundraising is currently on hold due to economic conditions. Despite financial challenges, the library continues to serve Blanco and its surrounding areas, including Spring Branch, Kendalia, and Henly.

The library, located in the picturesque Texas Hill Country along the Blanco River, serves a population of 6,527 in southern Blanco County. It features a general collection area, children's and youth areas, a genealogy room, computer sections for all ages, spacious meeting rooms, and a kitchenette. The Blanco Library remains committed to supporting the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the community.