Main Home >... > Administration > History
The Bossier Parish Library System was first discussed by the PTA of Bossier High School. The Bossier Parish Police Jury approved the formation of the Library on a “demonstration” basis. This was funded by the state library for one year. At the end of one year, the Police Jury approved the library on a permanent basis with the passage of a one-half mill sustaining tax in June of 1941. The first branches were located in Benton (the parish seat), Haughton, Bossier City, and Plain Dealing. The agreement reached between the Parish and the State Library was for the State Library to furnish all books in the Parish Library’s possession, as well as with the bookmobile and other equipment. The Parish tax was used to maintain and expand the library service.
The Library system has six branches, four of which are original branches. As the population has grown in different areas of the parish, we have renovated or built new libraries to sustain the population growth. Benton has been the recipient of the latest and largest construction project. Bossier Central was renovated in 1986 when the square footage quadrupled. Haughton received a new library in 1970 with a donation of land and $5,000 donation toward construction from the city of Haughton. Haughton was renovated within the last few years. Henry L. Aulds branch in south Bossier Parish was dedicated and opened in 1971 and received renovation in 2004. East 80 branch (not one of the original four) was built and opened in 1985; it received a “facelift” in 2005. Koran was originally a bookmobile, which was donated by the State Library. In 1977, a permanent building was built and opened. The library and Parish Police Jury are looking into new and more permanent facilities for Koran.
The millage tax for the Parish to sustain the library system has changed throughout the years. Our current 8.31-mills will be due to be reaffirmed within the next few years. The Library has used current monies without having to raise the millage to complete all new construction and renovations of all the library branches.
The Bossier Parish Library system has many possibilities for the future. With Bossier Parish being the fastest growing parish in northwest Louisiana, we need to broaden our horizons. We need to diversify our services and reach out to the public. Each branch will continue to be geared towards the needs of their local area.