The Library began as a collection of 1200 volumes housed in a Conroe School Recreation Center and operated by a women's group known as the HUB Club.
The group appealed to the County to make the library a tax-supported function of County government.
In 1948 the Library was taken over by the County and a budget of $25,000 provided. Katherine Ard was hired as its first librarian and a bookmobile was put into operation to serve outlying areas of the county
In 1950 the Library was moved to a vacant automobile showroom on North Frazier.
A bond election was held for a new Library facility. $300,000 was approved.
The new Library, located at 400 N. San Jacinto, was completed. It was 10,000 square feet.
A second bookmobile was added.
Mattie Howard was appointed Library Director.
Opened in leased space in a shopping center between New Caney and Porter.
Hank Blasick was appointed Library Director.
Opened in The Woodlands Information Center.
The carport, breezeway, and terrace of the Central Library were enclosed to add 3,000 square feet.
The South Branch on Many Pines Street was completed. The Woodlands donated the site and a federal LSCA grant for $75,000 was obtained to help fund the construction cost of the 5,500 square foot building.
Central Library closed after the fire until April, 1981.
A fire in Central Library damaged the interior and destroyed many books.
David Calloway was appointed Library Director.
The East Branch Library was moved into the East County Courthouse Annex in March.
Bookmobile Service was discontinued after 35 years.
Magnolia Branch Library opened a 2,800 square foot branch in the Southwest County Annex.
East Branch Library opened in its own 6,400 square foot building next to the East County Annex in New Caney. The total cost of construction was $270,000, of which an LSCA grant was obtained for $50,000.
MIke Baldwin was appointed Library Director
East Branch was renamed R. B. Tullis Library by Commissioners' Court.
West Branch opened in the Western Hills Shopping Center in 1,600 square feet of space donated rent free for 3 years.
The Library Consultant firm of HBW Associates was hired for $22,000 to perform a long-range planning study of the Library System with recommendations for facility and operational improvements to the year 2000.
Study Completed.
A Library Foundation was formed to help raise private funding for the Library System.
The Friends of the Willis Library obtained a federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant for $100,000 to build a library in Willis.
County Judge Alan Sadler appointed a citizens library task force to examine the need for library service in Montgomery County.
The 6,000 square foot Meador Branch Library in Willis was opened.
With a LSCA grant for $100,000 and a County match of $128,000, the West Branch Library expanded from 1,600 to 6,600 sq. ft. by purchasing space at the Western Hills Shopping Center.
The Library Task force gave its report to Commissioners' Court. It recommended a bond election for $9.25 million to build: a 50,000 sq. ft. Central Libary in Conroe; a 30,000 sq. ft. regional branch in The Woodlands; $100,000 toward a new Magnolia Branch; $500,000 for new books for the system; and $750,000 for automation & computerization of the system.
Voters approved $9.25 million for Library system in bond election. Vote approval by 63%.
South Branch burned to the ground as a result of arson. About $800,000 in insurance money was made available as a result.
Ray Bailey Architects was recommended by the Oversight Committee and approved by Commissioners’ Court as the Library architect. David Hennington was retained by the architect as the library consultant for the project.
South Branch Library opened in a temporary space of 10,000 sq. ft. in a former grocery store in Grogan’s Mill Shopping Center in The Woodlands, primarily with thousands of donated books.
LSCA grant of $100,000 was approved by the State Library to help with the construction of the new South Regional Branch.
Library Director discussed the possibility of joint automation with the Associate Dean of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District.
The expanded West Branch Library was opened to the public.
The Oversite Committee recommended joint automation as best means for Library system.
The official ground breaking for the new South Regional Branch and Central Library were held.
Library received an Automate-Match grant for $18,600 from Houston Area Library System to assist with automation of the Library System.
A 5-year contract for Dynix automation services was approved by Commissioners’ Court with NHMCCD.
Commissioners’ Court approved the 1993/94 budget, which authorized hiring 20 FTE new positions including 8 new librarians and a Branch Coordinator to help staff the new facilities.
The old South Branch was closed so its contents could be moved to the new South Regional Branch.
The new South Regional Branch opened to the public and the old Central Library closed for its move.
The new Central Library opened to the public.
The new South Regional Branch celebrated its official grand opening.
Deloitte & Touche LLP conducted a management and performance review of the Library System.
Ground breaking for the new facility in Magnolia.
Jerilynn A. Williams named Library Director.
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