City Services - Library

Diane Rutledge
(409) 385-4831
library@cityofsilsbee.com
http://www.silsbeepubliclibrary.com

MISSION STATEMENT
The Silsbee Public Library was established for the purpose of providing the residents of the community and surrounding areas an access to books and other resources and services for information, continuing education and recreation. It seeks to build knowledge, understanding, appreciation and wisdom in those it serves.

DESCRIPTION
The Silsbee Public Library offers free library services to the residents of Hardin County. The library provides access to over 46,000 volumes of fiction and non-fiction materials, subscriptions to 27 periodicals, 5 newspapers, and access to databases through the Texas State Library. The library is accredited through the State of Texas and is a member of the Houston Area Library System. Membership in the Houston Area Library System provides our library with access to Interlibrary Loans through the Houston Public Library, funding for equipment, and a yearly allocation for the purchase of books and audiovisual materials. The Silsbee Public Library offers eleven computers and seven laptops that were purchased through the Gates Foundation and Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund to provide the public with free Internet access as well as various educational games, encyclopedias, and office software with tutorials. The library provides tours throughout the school year to various school groups and civic clubs and organizations to educate the public on the services that the library has to offer. During the summer the library offers a Summer Story Hour, the Texas Reading Club, and the KWBB Reading Club to children pre-school through 13 years old.

This department has three full-time and one part-time employees: the Director and three Library Clerks.

GOALS

1. Assembling, preserving, and administering an organized collection of education and recreational Library materials.

2. Providing opportunity and encouragement for children, young people, men and women to educate themselves continuously.

3. Seeking continually to identify community needs.

OBJECTIVES

1. To provide the community with recent and pertinent information for its self-enlightenment which, in turn, will be of economic and cultural benefit.

2. To serve the needs and interests of the general community through information on a variety of topics.

3. To provide and fulfill the information, education, and recreation needs of the public.