Library
by Kathy Gilmore
November 07, 2007
Olney
Community Library
and
Arts Center
Address:
P.O. Box 67
807 W. Hamilton St.
Olney, Texas 76374
Telephone: 940 564-5513
Fax: 940 564-3453
Web: http://www.olney-isd.net
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Cicero
About Your Library
The Olney Community Library and Arts Center is a combined school/public library in a cooperative arrangement between the City of Olney and the Olney Independent School District. When established in 1974, this unique library system was one of the very few of its kind in the world. The new library building, completed in 1979, has become an integral part of the community. The library mission—”TO SERVE THE LEARNING AND ENRICHMENT NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY”—serves as a guide for the continual growth of this special facility.
About Your Library Services
The library currently owns over 34,000 volumes with an annual circulation of approximately 55,000 items.
Children’s Services:
— Pre-School Story Time—
Each Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:00, youngsters and their parents, may enjoy stories, films, puppets, and other special programs.
— RIF Handouts—
Children are treated to programs and free handouts of books from Reading Is FUNdamental three times each school year.
—Summer Reading Club—
A summer program for children, youth, and adults, includes sessions featuring storytellers, a pet show, films, and story hours. Certificates of award are presented at the beginning of the school year.
—Other Activities—
Pumpkin Decorating Contest—October
Santa’s Visit—December
Adult Services:
—Books and Collections—
Current and best-selling works of fiction and non-fiction are available for three-week check-out periods. Also available are our audio books on tape or CD. We offer a variety of books in large print and Spanish language. No overdue fines are charged on these reading materials, but they must be returned or renewed before others may be checked out.
Our reference collection and limited selection of government documents may aid in any research project you may pursue.
You will be proud of our Texas Collection which assembles an extensive array of materials about our state and local interests.
Unique to the Olney Library is a World War II Room dedicated to the heroes of our local community who served, and are serving, in our armed services.
The Library subscribes to over eighty periodicals and daily newspapers which are available in the library reading area. Back issues of magazines are available for check out. The Olney Enterprise is kept in archival form since 1915 and may be read and printed from our microfilm reader.
The Library has a Local History Collection which contains articles of interest to Olney and Young County researchers. This collection is available upon scheduling with the library staff.
Technology Services:
—Computers and Internet—
There are public-use computers available for most of your uses including programs for word processing, graphics, spread sheets, and internet research purposes. Check-in procedures are required for computer use, and internet users must sign an acceptable usage agreement. Only high school age students may use the internet without adult supervision. Junior High students are limited to use for school projects only, and Elementary Students must have parental supervision.
The Library has one adult-access computer station, courtesy of Brazosnet, for sending and checking e-mail (which is network-blocked at other stations). No students may use e-mail on Library computers.
Special electronic subscription services for all library patrons include TEXSHARE databases, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Learning Express practice tests.
—Movies—
Your library provides both VHS and DVD format popular and classic movies and educational films, some in Spanish, for adult check-out. There is a four-day check-out period with fines of $2.00/day in late fees.
Please do not return AV materials
in outside book drop!
—Other Services and Attractions—
• Inter-Library Loan network and ordering
• Paperback swap
• Meeting Room reservations for non-profits
• Fax machine and laminating machine
• Coin-operated copy machine
• Scanner and color printers
• Art exhibits
• Handicapped computer station
• Reader for vision impaired patrons
