Anniversary

The only library in Henderson is housed in the Basic Magnesium, Inc. Administration building. The Big Job, BMI's employee newsletter, features an article about a donation of non-technical books for BMI employees to borrow.

The first library is established in Henderson at the Basic Townsite in July 1943. The Las Vegas Retail Merchants Association purchased and donated 75 volumes to the Basic Townsite Library.

From left to right: Bill Gaie, Opal Earl, Inez Ferguson, and Vic Shurtleff.

Henderson District Public Libraries was founded by petition for the formation of the Henderson School District, approved by the Board of County Commissioners per letter by Roger D. Folly, District Attorney. He based this finding on the minutes of the Henderson School Board, but did not locate the petition in the County Clerk’s Office. Find out  more information from the 2003 Time Capsule found in the Henderson Digital Archives. 

The Library opened for business, according to the August 1, 1946 edition of the Henderson Herald. It was governed by a board of directors appointed by the Railroad Pass School District. The Librarian was Mrs. L. G. Jondahl. Find out  more information from the 2003 Time Capsule found in the Henderson Digital Archives. 

Total number of books checked out for the year 1947 at Henderson District Public Library reaches 12,683.

Lydia Malcolm is the Head Librarian at Henderson District Public Library until 1969

First Children's Summer Reading Program started at Henderson District Public Library with 157 children in attendance. 

Henderson District Public Library entered into a purchase agreement with John C. Galbraith Company and Basic Management, Inc. for the building and grounds at 55 Water Street in Downtown Henderson. Find out  more information from the 2003 Time Capsule found in the Henderson Digital Archives. 

The Library became a county library district during a special session of the Nevada Legislature during a major overhaul of education laws. At that time, school district statutes were repealed and county library districts were automatically established with identical boundaries and the board of trustees began being appointed by the board of county commissioners. Minutes in possession of the Library District show County Commission appointments to the board in 1958.

Photographs of the Henderson District Public Library in October 1956 at Water and Pacific Streets in Downtown Henderson. The library was closed for a few weeks in 1956 to enlarge the building. It reopened on October 9, 1956. Photographs courtesy of Clark County Museum, Henderson Home News Photographs.

Henderson District Public Library checks out over 33,000 books for the year 1958, and Henderson population reaches 17,000!

Photographs of the dedication of the new $15,000 addition to the Henderson District Public Library.

Harley Harmon, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners is on the left.

Left to right: Earl Keenan, Harley Harmon, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, George Jeffs, Reverend Robert Cochrane, Barney Cannon, J.L. Van Valey

The Library Board of Trustees votes to increase the checkout limit for adult patrons to 4 books.

The Library Board of Trustees approves the library to be open 6 days a week instead of 5. The new hours: Monday – Thursday 12pm to 9pm, Friday – Saturday 12pm to 5 pm.

Legislation was passed to make it easier to form a library district. Henderson and Boulder City remain as previously formed, and several additional county library districts have subsequently formed including Clark County Library District, Pahrump, Smokey Valley, Amargosa, and Tonopah Library Districts.

Henderson District Public Library budgets $7,429 for Fiscal Year 1968 books and materials.

Helen Van Wagenen replaces Lydia Malcolm as Head Librarian, and stays in that role until 1971. “Helen Van Wagenen, librarian at Henderson District Public Library standing by a garden wall, holding two yams”. Photograph courtesy of Clark County Museum, Henderson Home News Photograhs. 2000.420G.7708 

The Library Board of Trustees agrees to a 6-month trial period for reciprocal borrowing privileges between all libraries in Clark County.

Henderson District Public Library files boundary maps with the county recorder.

Thomas Hollis is the new Librarian for Henderson District Public Library.

Resolution passed by the Library Board of Trustees: “Because the consolidation of the Las Vegas Public Library with Clark County Library District has not proven to be an efficient use of funds, manpower, or resources and because personalized and unique library service can best be accomplished according to individual community standards, therefore it is resolved that the Boulder City Public Library, Henderson District Public Library, and the North Las Vegas Public Library do object and take irrevocable stand against further library consolidation in Clark County.”

Librarian Tom Hollis informs the Library Board of Trustees the revenue for the Fiscal Year 1978 budget is $64,046.

The Library Board of Trustees approves the Fiscal Year 1982 budget of $118,889.

Michael Thomas "M.T." Carollo is the new Librarian for Henderson District Public Library.

The Library Board of Trustees votes to raise late fines from $0.02/day to $0.05/day.

Janet Clark assumes the role as Acting Director for the Library until August 6, 1988

Mayor Lorna Kesterson signs a resolution to lease Henderson District Public Library property for a new library facility. The property appraises for $1.2 million. The lease amount is $1/year for 99 years.

Henderson District Public Library checks out over 86,600 books in 1987, and has over 44,000 books in the collection. Henderson population reaches just over 44,000 people.

The Pittman Library had been housed since its opening on the western edge of Wells Park in a building constructed by the Pittman Women's Club in the mid-1950's. In February 1988, a new facility, made possible through federal funds, opened its doors to the Pittman area community. During the opening ceremonies, Mayor Lorna Kesterson noted the building was "completely modernized." Nevada First Congressional District Representative, James Bilbray, was on hand to see firsthand how the federal funds benefited individual members of the community. He called the public library system "one of the great benefits of being an American," during his address to the crowd of well-wishers that gathered for the grand opening. The library was renovated again in the 1990's through a cooperative effort of the Henderson District Public Libraries, Henderson Boys & Girls Club and the City of Henderson. Today, the Pittman Cybrary as it is now known is housed in a building shared with the Henderson Boys & Girls Club. Innovative technology and programming helped launch the Pittman Cybrary into the new millennium. 

Carroll Gardner assumes the role as Library Director until July 1993

The James I. Gibson Library opened with a celebration honoring Senator James I. Gibson for his assistance in obtaining passage of a statewide bond and subsequent allocation of funds to Henderson for the building. The previous building at 55 S. Water Street, acquired in 1946, had long been in disrepair, outdated and over-utilized. The fast growing population hailed the new library as a symbol of their “arrival” in the modern world of libraries. 

Library Director Carroll Gardner announces her intent to retire. A salary range of $42,000 – 53,500 is established to recruit a new library director. 

John Gettleman is the new Library Director for Henderson District Public Libraries, until he leaves in March 1995

The Lydia Malcolm Library opened to provide service to a rapidly growing area of Henderson. Named for Henderson’s longest-serving librarian, Lydia Malcolm, who oversaw the opening festivities, the 4,000 square foot-facility opened with 15,000 books on its shelves. The facility offered traditional library resources, such as a reference section and selection of music CD’s, but had a particular emphasis on children’s services. The Malcolm Library became the third facility for the Henderson District Public Libraries. The Malcolm Library was the first storefront library in Henderson.

Zuki Landau is the new Library Director until November 1998

Reference Statistics for February 1997.

Joan G. Kerschner, State Librarian, is the new Library Director for Henderson District Public Libraries.

Paseo Verde Library opened with a day-long celebration. An early morning reception paid tribute to Honorary Friends of the Library, including Selma Bartlett, Donna Childs, Bob Fielden, Mayor James B. Gibson, Brian Greenspun, Lorna Kesterson, Claire MacDonald, Sandy Miller, Mike O’Callaghan, Hal Rothman, Hal & Tina Smith, Othena Williams, and Commissioner Bruce Woodbury.

A dedication ceremony was held outside, featuring a keynote speech by Mayor James I. Gibson. Nearly 3,000 people visited the library that day to enjoy music, food, storytelling and author visits and to check out 2,500 books!

Joan Kerschner retires, Tom Fay is the new Executive Director for Henderson District Public Libraries.

“Hawkeye” the library mascot makes his debut. 

Lydia Malcolm Library opened at 2960 Sunridge Heights Parkway, replacing the storefront at Pecos and Wigwam. 

Henderson Libraries Bookmobile debuts at the Heritage Days Parade

Henderson Libraries circulation hit 1,000,000 for the fiscal year, setting a new record

The APPLE Partnership brought Marc Brown to Henderson

One Book kicked off with Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

The Library Board of Trustees approves reduction in library hours effective February 1, 2008 due to budget shortfall

The Galleria Library at the Galleria Sunset Mall opens.

The Library Board of Trustees decides to close the Pittman Library

The Green Valley Library re-opens as part of the Henderson District Public Libraries

The Heritage Park Library opens at the Heritage Park Senior Facility

The James I. Gibson Library opens at 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway

The Galleria Library in the Galleria Mall closes on November 21, 2012, followed closely by the closure of the Lydia Malcolm Library on November 30, 2012.

Tom Fay resigns as Executive Director; Assistant Director Gayle Hornaday, who has been with Henderson Libraries since 1994, assumes role of Interim Director

Angela Thornton is the new Executive Director

Monday hours restored to Paseo Verde Library; Green Valley Library and Gibson Library remain unchanged

The first Henderson Libraries Mini Con debuts at Paseo Verde Library

 Henderson Libraries new branding is launched to the public

Old Logos

New logo and Launch Party at Paseo Verde Library

Angela Thornton resigns as Executive Director; Gayle Hornaday assumes role of Interim Director

Marcie Smedley is the new Executive Director of Henderson Libraries