Livingston Parish Library was legally established by the Police Jury in 1946 as a demonstration library of the Louisiana State Library. The first library was located in the Livingston Parish Courthouse and opened its doors on December 16, 1946. The first Parish Librarian was Annie S. Cowart with Louise Risley as Assistant. Both were graduates of the Louisiana State University School of Library Science.
Several Directors have served since 1946. Some were: Annie Cowart, Willie Mae Seab, Odile Gill, Betty Dance, Marcia Perkins, Iva Ginn, J. G. Sibley, Austin Higginbotham, Eula Fontenot, Odelia Salassi, Allen Cunningham, Wendy Bobo, and Giovanni Tairov. The current Director is Michelle Parrish.
The first Library Board of Control was appointed by the Police Jury as follows: H.R. Reeves, Albany, President; Mrs. Winnie Cullom, Springfield; Mrs. Dick Hall, Watson; Mrs. Kerney Smart, Doyle; J. C. Hutchinson, French Settlement; Earl Allen, Police Jury President as ex-officio member.
A 3-mill property tax proposal was passed by the voters on Sept. 30, 1947 to locally support the parish library system. A 10-mill property tax was passed on April 29, 1995.
The headquarters branch at Livingston and the Denham Springs Branch were the first libraries to open in December 1946. They were followed by the following branches in the coming months: Whitehall, Watson, Albany, Walker, Springfield, Fourth Ward, Maurepas, French Settlement, Holden and finally Killian.
A bookmobile arrived on May 28, 1947, the first bookmobile the State Library had been able to purchase since the beginning of the war. It had four routes, carrying books into the farthermost rural sections, stopping near homes, stores, schools, churches, and crossroads. The Fourth Ward Branch was discontinued with readers to be served by the new bookmobile.
The following branches are in operation today: Main, Denham Springs-Walker, Watson, Albany-Springfield, South, and the Library Administration building.
A major Building Program for the library system – construction of five new buildings began in 2005 and finished in 2012.
Much of the success and growth of the Livingston Parish Library system can be attributed to retired director Allen Cunningham and retired assistant director Alex Kropog as well as the Library Board of Control for their dedication to providing quality services and programming to the people of Livingston Parish. Along with the current Library Board, the current director and assistant director are working to continue that dedication to the growth and improvement of the public library system. The success of the Livingston Parish Library is directly connected to the citizens of Livingston Parish who, through their continued support of the library system as it grows and develops, have helped to make it into an award-winning system.
The Livingston Parish Library Board, administration and staff would like to say thank you to all of the people of Livingston Parish for their love and support of libraries, reading, and learning.
Library Timeline
December 16, 1946
Library system is established with Livingston and Denham Springs branches and a collection of 6,000 new books; Other branches open shortly thereafter in Whitehall, Watson, Albany, Walker, Springfield, Fourth Ward, Maurepas, French Settlement, Holden and Killian. Livingston Parish is recognized as the 24th parish in the state to establish parish-wide library services.
The first librarian was Annie S. Cowart with Louise Risley as an assistant. The original board was Mrs. Kerny Smart, H.R. Reeves, Mrs. B.L. Kinchen, Mrs. Winnie Lee Cullom, and J.C. Hutchinson.
May 3, 1947
The first story hour begins at the Livingston Branch.
May 28, 1947
The first bookmobile arrives in Livingston Parish; The first unit the State Library had purchased since WWII, it had four routes and eventually replaced the Fourth Ward Branch.
September 30, 1947
Voters pass a 3-mill property tax to fund the fledgling library system with 435 votes for and only 59 against. In the first seven months of 1947, approximately 2,250 Livingston Parish citizens borrowed over 26,500 books. There are more than 7,500 books in the library’s collection.
September 1, 1951
Betty Dance is temporarily placed as director by the State Library
January 10, 1952
Marcia W. Perkins is hired as director.
October 1, 1953
Livingston Parish requires patrons to begin using personal library cards to check out materials.
February 11, 1954
Patrons of the Denham Springs Branch can now request books, renew borrowed materials and ask reference questions over the phone.
September 15, 1955
Mr. J.G. Sibley is hired as director.
July 29, 1958
Iva W. Ginn is hired as director.
July 1, 1962
Austin Higginbotham is hired as director
April 4, 1964
Eula Fontenot is hired as director.
1970
The Library Board authorized Harold Abels to build the first Livingston Parish building designed specifically to be a library. The building, with 320 square feet and standard shelving, was completed in 1971 and became the Springfield Branch Library.
1976
The bookmobile was retired. Ten branches remained open and the branch librarians made plans to hand-deliver books to shut-ins.
December 12, 1979
Odelia Salassi is hired as director.
March 9, 1989
The Livingston Parish Police Jury receives legislative approval to use part of a parish property tax to build a new main library in Livingston.
September 1989
Allen Cunningham is hired as director.
April 19, 1990
The Library begins computerizing its card catalogs.
April 29, 1995
Voters pass a 10-mill property tax to fund the library system adjusting for rising inflation. Part goes to operate and maintain the eight existing branches.
December 1995
Main Branch at Livingston opens, establishing a permanent headquarters for the library system. The Livingston branch moves from its original location at the parish courthouse.
July 30, 2000
Livingston allows 24-hour online access to all libraries and databases through Louisiana Library Connection.
July 2001
Planning committee recommends building four new branches through an $8.9 million bond issue
November 17, 2001
The bond issue fails at the polls by 306 votes. Only about 5% of registered parish voters turned up at the polls, where the proposal was the only item on the ballot.
February 27, 2003
Library upgrades website and computer stations to allow residents to check their records and recheck-out books from home.
October 4, 2003
A slightly altered $8.9 million bond issue passes with 57% of the vote. The 15,224 ballots in favor of the tax far exceeded the 2,900 voters who rejected it in 2001.
May 12, 2005
A groundbreaking ceremony starts construction on the new Denham Springs-Walker Branch.
August 4, 2005
A groundbreaking ceremony starts construction on the new Watson Branch.
September 8, 2005
A groundbreaking ceremony starts construction on the new Albany-Springfield Branch.
December 7, 2005
A groundbreaking starts construction on the new South Branch.
December 1, 2006
Denham Springs-Walker Branch opens.
January 30, 2007
Albany-Springfield Branch opens.
April 12, 2007
Watson Branch opens.
June 13, 2007
South Branch opens, consolidating branches in Killian and French Settlement.
February 1, 2008
Wendy Bobo is hired as director.
March 1, 2010
Giovanni Tairov is hired as director.
January 14, 2011
Library breaks ground on the new Main Branch at Livingston.
June 1, 2012
Main Branch in Livingston grand opening.
December 1, 2012
Library Administration Building opens, housing the behind-the-scenes functions of the library system.
July 1, 2017
Denham Springs-Walker Branch completes expansion. The library’s expansion included the addition of a meeting room for library programs, a separate one for patrons, an Idea Lab, four study rooms and a new computer lab with 54 public computers.
December 4, 2017
Idea Lab opens at Denham Springs-Walker Branch. The Idea Lab features 3D printing, 3D scanning, virtual reality, and more.
October 1, 2018
LPL announces no fines for youth accounts.
February 26, 2019
More than 26,000 Livingston Parish students and teachers enrolled in new eCard Program.
April 25, 2019
LPL unveils its new Discovery Mobile.
December 1, 2019
LPL Board of Trustees approves the elimination of overdue fines for all patrons. Learn more here.
March 2, 2020
LPL announces new digital archive partnership with Livingston Parish News.
March 18, 2020
Library briefly closes due to COVID-19.
May 18, 2020
LPL introduces live chat on the Library website to assist patrons online for the duration of the pandemic.
September 14, 2020
New online catalog launched.
May 1, 2021
LPL Cultural Passes announced, providing partnerships with local museums and parks.
October 1, 2021
LPL Digital Media Lab opens at Main Branch in Livingston.
July 2022
LPL opens the Career Center at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch.
November 2022
The Library Administration Building completes expansion, including additional and renovated office space, and a dedicated storage facility.
June 23, 2023
Michelle Parrish is hired as director.
August 1, 2023
Through a federal grant, the LPL introduces iPads as a circulating tablet collection.
November 1, 2023
LPL Board Game collection launched.