Lafayette loves libraries pac
Birth of a System
History
In the year 2000, the Lafayette Public Library was falling behind the rest of Louisiana.
With only the main library and a handful of small branches, the staff struggled to circulate over one million items per year, second only to Jefferson Parish, an area twice the size. 72% of households used the library, but kids were put on wait lists to use computers because there simply weren’t enough to go around.
That is, until a group of concerned citizens decided we could do better. In preparation for an upcoming election in 2002, they formed Lafayette Loves Libraries, a Political Action Committee specifically tasked with raising awareness of the problem and funds to get a bond issue and millage passed to fix it. Through their efforts, the people of Lafayette Parish voted to invest in a 15,000 square foot expansion and renovation of the main library, as well as the addition of four regional, full-service libraries – Carencro (North), Acadiana Mall (South), Youngsville (East), and Scott (West). As a result of their efforts, the foresight of the voters in Lafayette Parish, and the amazing staff at LPL, in 2020 the library was awarded the James O. Modisette award for best public library in Louisiana.
We don’t rest on our laurels, however. The library has seen more than its share of challenges, and continues to face opposition at election time. That’s why our work continues to be of utmost importance for the continued success of LPL.
- 1946 - Lafayette parish public library is founded
- 2002 - Voters pass bond & millage to expand library system
- 2007 - North Regional library, funded by 2002 bond proposition, opens in Carencro
- 2015 - newly renovated main library, funded by 2002 bond proposition, reopens downtown
- 2015 - East Regional library, funded by 2002 bond proposition, opens in Youngsville
- 2017 - newly renovated Chenier branch library, funded by 2002 bond proposition, reopens in MLK Center
- 2018 - Library loses third funding millage election
- 2018 - $10 million library fund balance rededicated to drainage, $8 million set aside to build new NE library
- 2019 - West Regional library, funded by 2002 bond proposition, opens in scott
- 2021 - voters pass renewal of library's first funding millage
- 2022 - lpl libraries to be closed on sundays due to lack of funding
- 2026 - library's second millage is on the ballot for renewal
Our Work
