The quaint Eula Hunt Beck Florence Public Library is located on East Main Street. The library’s collection is home to over 16,000 items, including books, audio books, DVDs, as well as VHS movies, and other materials.
The library includes special sections on subjects such as Texas fiction (for youth or adults), Texas non-fiction, and Texas Reference Titles. The library is also building a growing Spanish section. Materials relevant to local history are stored in a number of filing cabinets and are available for self-service research. Visitors have access to five Internet terminals and a computerized library catalog look-up station. Recently, the library added Wi-Fi service to allow more people to use laptops to do work and research.
Library cards are free to citizens of the area, and the Florence Public Library participates in the Texshare Card Program that allows cardholders to borrow books directly from other participating institutions throughout Texas.
Standard check-out periods are two weeks for all materials except reference material. Reference material may only be checked out for 24 hours with permission. Vacation check out is 3 weeks. Checkout may be extended over the phone or by email for an additional two weeks. The library offers both incoming and outgoing fax services and provides cozy comfort andwarm ambiance that’s part of Florence’s small town charm.
Community Involvement with Popular Displays and Progressive Programs
The library features a large display window facing the street, which is available to rent for thirty dollars a month. Because many children visit the Florence Public Library, the library requires tasteful art, photography, or other displays that are suitable for family viewing. The display window gives residents a chance to share their talents and treasures with the rest of the community for a small fee which in turn helps the library continue to serve the community.
The libraryholds weekly events including an Intermediate Spanish Class as well as English Language Classes. The classes have been a success and well received with donations from private citizens and local business enabling the library to pay the teachers.
Lecture Series and Celebration of the Stars
From 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, the library hosts a lecture series held on topics that may include local history, current events, teachers sharing information on important subjects, community speakers, professors, or authors. Attractions from the area and various music groups have also been a part of the popular event series.
The Eula Hunt Beck Florence Public Library takes part in “The Florence Annual Friendship Days Parade.” The parade is a local tradition for residents to show off their businesses or talents as they ride horses, bicycles, motorcycles, unicycles or even just stroll along in the Friendship Days Parade. There’s even a contest to “Show how friendly Florence can be.” Judging takes place later in the day and trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place entries.Although there is no charge to participate in the parade, funds for the library are raised with the annual Friendship 5K Fun Run and Walk, which is held earlier in the day before the parade begins.
The Florence Public Library also hosts an annual “Celebration of the Stars.” Held at the Florence Swimming Pool, there are scrumptious BBQ plates and a raffle with an impressive grand prize. This is a function that locals eagerly look forward to as a way to help support the community and the library by giving back while having fun. At the event, the Florence Public Library recognizes the achievements of young readers who participate in the Summer Reading Program.
There’s nothing quite like a community that grows up around a well-run, well-loved small town library, and Florence’s Eula Hunt Beck library is a fine example of a small town library at its best.