Gaston County Public Library History

Back of postcard: "Pastel and ink sketch by Margaret McConnell Holt drawn from imagination and from existing furnishings. About 1900 Dr. D. E. McConnell became aware that people who did not have dental appointments were coming to his waiting room to read his books; so he originated Gastonia's first lending library with fifty books of his own. Eventually, through efforts of many capable and dedicated people it grew into the Gaston-Lincoln Library System." (Donated by Margaret Upchurch)

In 1900, Gastonia established a traveling library station with the H. Parmelee Library Company of Chicago. In a cooperative arrangement, Gastonia would exchange books with surrounding towns every three months allowing Gastonia members access to a new library on a rotating basis. Dr. D. E. McConnell was made librarian of the library station located at his office. The collection consisted of fifty books and most of the selection was general literature such as the popular new book To Have and To Hold by Mary Johnston.

Interior photograph of the library in Gastonia, NC when it was located in the YMCA. (from the back of the photograph: "Old City Library in YMCA taken 1931")

The subscription-based Gastonia Library officially opened Monday January 2, 1905 in the downtown Y.M.C.A. Hall, which the YMCA offered for use by the library. This library was established through the efforts of Dr. D. E. McConnell, the Gastonia Library Association, the Y.M.C.A, and many others.

(Gastonia Public Library exterior from the front right)

The Gastonia Public Library opened on 27 March 1931, in the new 115 West Second Avenue facility designed by architect Hugh E. White. The building contractor was C. W. Spencer. The new library building, which had a total cost of $25,000, was a gift from the Y.M.C.A.

When the Gaston County Commissioners budgeted for Gastonia Public Library services, Gaston County residents no longer had to pay a user fee for access to the library.

The names of ten writers were inscribed above the windows on the architecture of the library building. On the left side of the building were the three English writers Tennyson, Stevenson, and Browning. The four Southern writers O. Henry, Poe, Lanier, and Harris were inscribed on the front of the building. The three Northern writers on the right side were Lowell, Longfellow, and Emerson.

(View of Gastonia Public Library and Memorial Hall)

In 1937, the Library name was changed from Gastonia Public Library to Gaston County Public Library after Gastonia became the headquarters for the county library services and when the county began major financial support of the library.

(2001-11-05)

In 1978, the new Main Library building on 1555 East Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia at the corner of Churchill Drive opened for service to the public.

Architect James C. Stewart of the firm of Stewart & Cooper Architects designed the new library building. The new 60,000 sq. ft. facility had initial shelving that would hold 250,000 volumes.

Formal Dedication and Open House of the new $2.2 million library building at 1555 East Garrison Blvd. was on February 25, 1979.