Ouachita Parish History Mural

Back in 1958, Frances Flanders, Director of the Ouachita Parish Public Library, was in the middle of construction of the new Main Branch Library. Ms. Flanders wanted a statement piece to hang over the circulation desk of the new library. With the permission of the library board, Ms. Flanders commissioned Hubble Reed McBride, a Dallas … Continue reading Ouachita Parish History Mural

Selber Brothers Department Store Groundbreaking – 1967

It was recently announced that the Main Branch of the Ouachita Parish Public Library will be moving next year into a building that was once part of the Twin City Mall. I remember the building as the original location of Stein Mart. Older residents will remember it as the old Selber Brothers Department Store. Here … Continue reading Selber Brothers Department Store Groundbreaking – 1967

A History of Library Service to the African-American Community in Ouachita Parish

I have found another digitized thesis! This one was written in 1967 by Ms. Shirley Rush at Atlanta University. It details the history of the establishment of the Carver Branch library on a level I have never seen before! Many influential names in the African-American community are mentioned. https://radar.auctr.edu/islandora/object/cau.td:1967_rush_shirley_c

Ouachita Parish Public Library Historical Photos

I just wanted to take a moment and highlight what my boss has been working on. She has set up a new section on the Louisiana Digital Library to upload historical photos of the Ouachita Parish Public Library. I especially love the photo of Carver Library with the Miller-Roy Building in the background! Check it … Continue reading Ouachita Parish Public Library Historical Photos

A New Genealogy Page for the Ouachita Parish Public Library

A few weeks ago, the library launched a new webpage at http://www.oplib.org. If you look at the top right section of the home page, you will see a link to Family and Local History. That leads you to our page, which has a lot of useful links at the bottom. The Databases page links to … Continue reading A New Genealogy Page for the Ouachita Parish Public Library