History of the Huntsville Public Library

An open house on Sunday, September 24, 1967 was the culmination of two years of hard work and determination by a group of Huntsville citizens united as Friends for a Huntsville Public Library. Over 1600 persons held membership in this organization which successfully mounted a campaign to obtain state matching funds to build a 7,000 square foot facility which exists today as the Huntsville Public Library.

The opening of a public library for Huntsville was a dream come true for those who worked so diligently founding Friends for a Huntsville Public Library. The Temporary Board for Building and Planning appointed by Huntsville City Council was comprised of Dr. Mac Woodward, Chairman; A.J.Beckham; Ed Sandhop; C.E. Allen; Mrs. Helen Wheat; Mrs. Don Reid; Gerry Taylor, Technical Advisor; and Mrs. Gloria Pickett, Drive Chairman, Friends.

Huntsville City officials during this time of building and planning for library services were; Raymond T. Wright, Mayor; Kate Barr Ross, City Secretary; N.B. Davidson, City Engineer; and Weldon Coleman, Comptroller. 1965-66 City Council members were W. Ben Blalock, Jr.; Scott Johnson; Frank Spott, Marion King; Fred B. Smith, Jr.; John Haney; Neil D. Cox; and H.L. Costilow. Officials holding the offices of City Secretary, City Engineer, and Comptroller remained the same.

The first Library Board appointed by City Council was comprised of Dr. Mac Woodward, Phillip Gibs, C.E. Allen, Mrs. Raymond Davis, Mrs. Helen Wheat, Mrs. Clint Hackney, Mrs. Ed Sandhop. Langwith, Wilson and King were the architects for the facility to house Huntsville’s first public library at 1216 14th Street.

Huntsville Public Library’s first librarian was Linda Olson Peters. She organized the initial library collection and excelled in promoting the library’s services to the community. She resigned in 1970 to continue her education , and was replaced by Mrs. Linda Landtroop. Mrs. Linda Landtroop. was at the helm for approximately one year before resigning to rejoin her husband who had just completed his military service overseas. In 1971 Mrs. Judy Hunter was hired as librarian and remained in that position until 2003. Linda Dodson was hired in 2003 to replace Mrs. Hunter and is the library's current Director.

Huntsville Public Library today provides a wide variety of services to the people of Huntsville and Walker County, with programs for children holding a high priority in our service goals. From a staff of one librarian and one clerk, the library service personnel have grown to 7 full-time and 4 part-time employees. The collection of resource materials available exceeds 64,000 items and include various media forms.

In 1970 the City of Huntsville adopted the Council/Manager form of government, and an ordinance establishing an advisory Library Board was enacted. Six members with rotating terms provide a community liaison which city officials in recommending public policy and service implementation. many of the city residents have served as Library Board members, and those persons served as the nucleus of the Friends of the Huntsville Public Library when it was formed in November of 1981. This support group has provided many excellent exhibits and children’s drama productions, as well as equipment and display items to supplement the existing City budget allocations.