Calcasieu Parish Public Library |
Central Library
Address: 301 West Claude Street, Lake Charles LA. 70605
Telephone: (337) 721-7116
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.---Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Thursday
9:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m.---Friday
9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.---Saturday
2:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m.---Sunday
History: The Central Library,
or "Headquarters" as it was then known, opened April 4, 1944, the
first library in the parish system. It was located at the corner of Kirby
and Hodges Streets in a former store building. Miss Ruby Tanner was the first
Branch Manager. In March, 1947, the Library moved into a building owned by
Oscar Colletta at 1830 Broad Street. But by 1949, the Library had outgrown
its facility again. It moved again and again until it found its home in 1954
to a location on South Ryan Street. In 1965, the need for more space was needed
again. It moved to a space at the corner of Prien Lake Road and Center Street.
Circulation jumped when the library moved to this location; the city's population
had also begun to move south. The Police Jury then purchased a 3.2 acre lot
at the corner of Ernest and West Claude Streets in 1977. Ground was broken
and the library was completed in December, 1984. Thanks tothe Capital Improvement
Program, plans were once again made for a new and larger Library. The Library
measures 40,000 square feet and houses 125,000+ volumes and 350 magazines.
Branch Manager: Geraldine Harris
Central
Library's Calendar of Events
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questions, or suggestions can be sent to webmaster
Update: October 5, 2009