Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center

Our mission is to provide accessible resources, services, and events that encourage unity in the community and inspire lifelong learning.

In 1920, the Giddings Study Club voted to open a library, whose first home was inside the local branch of the Post Office. Each member of the study club donated a book to begin the library’s first collection.  

Since its humble beginnings, the library has steadily grown to meet the needs of the community. Our history has included consistent growth in physical space, programming, collection size, and membership. We’ve outgrown ten different locations since 1920. In 1938, the City of Giddings agreed to purchase the library and maintain it for the entire community. 

In 2002, we moved into our current location, a renovated former grocery-store building. The move tripled the library’s available space. We’re now the “biggest little library in Texas” because at 19,000 square feet, we have the largest facility in the state among communities of a similar size. The move also created space for museum-quality exhibits and the library was renamed Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center. 

Yearly, we host nearly a hundred programs and events, the largest of which is the annual Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival, showcasing Texas authors and their books. Our  monthly e-newsletter Beyond the Books highlights library news and events. Our annual magazine Between the Lines reflects on our previous year of service to the community. 

Come on in and explore everything your community library has to offer. Our friendly, professional, and knowledgeable staff is grateful for the opportunity to serve you.