History

The Tyler Public Library was founded in 1899 as a subscription library by the Tyler Federation of Women’s Clubs and is located above the old Tyler Electric Company offices on the north side of Tyler’s downtown courthouse square. The library soon moved to the then City Hall and subsequently became a city department in 1903. The following year, it moved nearby into its own building donated by Andrew Carnegie on College Avenue, which was the home of the library until 1980 when the present three-story building opened on College across Elm Street to the south.

As a city department, the library is directed by a City Librarian who answers to city management and is advised by a seven-member advisory Library Board appointed by the City Council.

Mission

To meet our patrons’ needs for information, education, and recreation through access to library resources.

Vision

Tyler Public Library is dedicated to ensuring that all citizens have access to current materials and resources necessary for lifelong enrichment and education, universal literacy, and informed decision-making.

Values

• Inclusiveness—Tyler Public Library strives to serve all members of the City of Tyler equally by ensuring all outreach and information resources are made available to anyone who needs them.
• Community – Providing a space for community interaction and endless possibilities
• Collaboration – Tyler Public Library partners with community organizations to better serve the City of Tyler.
• Quality – Tyler Public Library strives to provide quality services and programming
• Responsiveness – Respond to patron needs and suggestions for improvement of library services
• Respect – Be accepting, considerate, attentive, and encouraging to all patrons and employees
• Learning – Providing knowledge, information, resources, and assistance

Strategic Plan

Goals and Progress 

Download the Library 2022 Strategic Plan.