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History of the Library
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"Collierville is finely situated among the vine clad hills and fertile valleys of West Tennessee, on what is conceded to be the highest point in Shelby County. The irregularity of the site gives it an element of picturesque beauty. To the south and east are hills covered with gigantic trees and lovely foliage. On the north side., the fertile valley of Wolf River.” Excerpt from an essay written by Miss Rosebud Moss, 1882. For many years in the rural areas of Shelby County there was little or no library service. In 1931, a great step forward was taken when the “Bookmobile” came into existence. It was a great thrill for children and adults in the rural area throughout the county when they saw the “library on wheels” coming. The Bookmobile stopped at the Collierville square and card tables were brought out to serve as counters to check books in and out.
After the Bookmobile was discontinued in 1951, the Collierville community was not serviced in any way by the Shelby County Library System. The Contemporary Club became deeply concerned and realized that something needed to be done. Mrs. C. H. Harrell, who was president of the Contemporary Club at the time, appointed a library committee. On March 2, 1956, after much hard work and many hours of planning, the first public library was opened in Collierville with three thousand books. The Public Library was opened in a concrete block stucco building that had once been a restaurant at the corner of North Rowlett and Walnut Streets. The building was remodeled and the interior painted light green. Mr. John Little Dean, who served as a rural mail carrier at the Collierville Post Office, built most of the shelving, and the remodeling of the building was done by the Contemporary Club and other civic groups of the Town. The Library was opened two days each week: on Mondays from two until six p.m. and Fridays from two until nine p.m. This was a tremendous project undertaken by the Contemporary Club and no greater contribution could have been made to a community from which all citizens would benefit. Mrs. James Cowan, newly appointed librarian, was in charge. In 1964, the Shelby County Court and Shelby County Commissioners substantially increased the amount allowed in the budget for library operations. On July 15, 1964, the Library Association, composed of all organizations in the Town of Collierville, met to discuss the need for library expansion. With the rapid growth the Town has experienced, the Library was fast reaching its capacity for service. Through the leadership of these organizations, Collierville received a new library, one of the first ones constructed in the county. During the construction of the new building, the Library was moved into temporary quarters directly behind the library site, into a private home that the Town had purchased.
On Sunday, December 5, 1965, the dedication and open house was held for the Library. The Town of Collierville purchased the library site and deeded to Shelby County only the site where the Library was located. The architect firm for the Library was Dean Hill and Associates. The new library contained 3,200 square feet with a book capacity of 20,000 volumes and a seating capacity of forty-two. Mrs. James Cowan was the only local person to serve as librarian with seventeen years of service before retiring in 1972. The Library hours of operation were increased to six days a week.
In October, 1971, the “Friends of the Library” was organized for the Collierville Library under the auspices of the Memphis-Shelby County Library System. The first library organization was composed of representatives from various civic clubs in Collierville. The Friends organization was later opened to the public with membership dues.
Collierville Library and Community Center 1974 It was through the Friends group that the need was seen for expansion. In the spring of 1983, grant monies were available through the State of Tennessee under the auspices of the Federal Jobs Building Fund Program. As announced in the Collierville Herald on January 14, 1984, the Collierville Library received a state grant of $376,000 for an expansion program at its present site. Unfortunately, soon after the agreement broke down. Once again the Town fathers came to the rescue of the Collierville Library, contributing monies and purchasing the land needed for expansion.
Construction began in August, 1986, for a 3,318 square foot addition that expanded the square footage from 3,200 to 6,518 square feet. The seating capacity was increased from forty-two to fifty-four. The library exterior was remolded, and Collierville was the first library in the county to have the new emblem sign erected. The addition was completed in January, 1987, four years after its conception. The architectural firm was Mahan and Shappley.
The above information was originally published in the book "Collierville, Tennessee: Her People and Neighbors" by Clarene Pickston Russell. The Lucuis E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library is pleased to reprint this history with kind permission of the author and the Town of Collierville and The Collierville Chamber of Commerce. In the late 1990’s, both a lack of space for a growing collection and a lack of parking space for patrons prompted the discussion for a new library facility. The David Halle family donated 5 park-like acres of land located at the northern end of Poplar View Parkway for the site of the new library. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on January 6, 2000. The 6 million dollar facility was built with combined funding from the Burch Family estate, the Town of Collierville and the Shelby County Government. It was designed by Michael Walker, Architect, Fleming Associates. The new Library included not only expanded space for materials, but also a drive-up book drop, 26 multi-function public access computers, a quiet adult reading room, individual group study rooms, meeting space, a children’s room for story time, and room for potential expansion. The Grand Opening Ceremony was held on March 3, 2001.
After the Collierville Burch Library opened the doors of its new facility, the magazine Southern Living asked Collierville Mayor Kerley to help with the “Southern Living Idea House” in Collierville. Historically, a charitable organization is chosen to share in the work of the show and proceeds of the show. Mayor Kerley approached the Collierville Burch Library Friends group for volunteers and chose the Library as the organization that would benefit by a portion of the Idea House ticket proceeds. The Friends raised approximately $25,000. This money was used to purchase needed Library materials.
In 2004, the Shelby County Government took action to withdraw funding of suburban library operations. On October 11th, the Town of Collierville accepted responsibilities for financing and managing its Library. The Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library is fully owned and operated by the Town of Collierville. The Town subcontracts day-to-day management to Library Systems and Services, Inc. The LSSI staff is guided by policies developed by the Collierville Public Library Board composed of seven citizens appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
501 Poplar View Parkway, Collierville, TN 38017 © 2006
The Town of Collierville The
Town of Collierville does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, sex, or disability in its hiring and
employment practices, or in admission to, access to, or operation
of its programs, services, and activities pursuant to Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 200d) and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L 101-336.
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