Parker Williams Branch Library Collection

Branch History

From 1980 to 1989, the Harris County Public Library opened six new branches, all but one on the north side of Harris County. By the decade's end, HCPL identified neighborhoods for future expansion, including several that were south of I-10. The South Belt/Ellington area in Precinct 2 had grown significantly, with a 1985 survey counting over 50,000 residents, and HCPL began planning a new library for the neighborhood. 

The County planned a joint-use building for a library and courthouse annex. By the fall of 1989, the County purchased a site on Beamer Road, and architects designed a floor plan for the system’s largest book collection, holding approximately 93,147 volumes. 

The South Belt Chamber of Commerce helped organize a Friends of the Library group, with Dr. Parker Williams, President of San Jacinto Junior College-South Campus, leading the effort. The new branch was named after her to honor her dedication to education. 

The Parker Williams Branch Library opened on Sunday, November 14, 1993. It was the largest in the system, housing over 35,000 volumes and offering audiotapes, videos, and books on tape. It also featured special collections in Spanish and Vietnamese. 

A front sign was installed in the spring of 1994, nearly six months after opening. This addition was crucial as another Parker Williams Library was under construction at San Jacinto College-South Campus. 

In September 2019, the branch received new flooring, replacing old carpets with tile. 

That same year, an HCPL grant from the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation and Phillips 66 funded the Family Place Libraries initiative. The George and Barbara Bush Family Place opened in November 2019, providing a welcoming space for young children to build skills, socialize, and read as a family. The initiative also introduced workshops for parents and toddlers to encourage play-based learning. 

 

Further Reading

View a floor plan of the branch created in 1992.

Learn more about the branch by exploring the digital exhibit Parker Williams Branch Library.

 

Dr. Parker Williams

Dr. Parker Williams was a librarian and a life-long supporter of libraries and education.  She worked at the Pasadena Public Library in the 1950s and was part of the team that began San Jacinto College in 1961, serving as the College's first librarian.  In 1978, she became the founding president of San Jacinto College South Campus, a role she held until her retirement in 1997.  She continued her service to the community as a member of the San Jacinto College Board of Regents, and in recognition of her contributions, the library at the South Campus is named in her honor. 

 

Dr. Williams died in August 2004  at age 75.  

 

"I think you can learn from the community and the community can learn from you." 

-- Dr. Parker Williams. 

 

View a touching tribute to Dr. Williams, created by San Jacinto College, available on YouTube: Dr. Parker Williams Tribute.  

 

The Friends of the Parker Williams Branch Library created two scrapbooks documenting special events at the library.

 

Volume 1 focuses on the library's first few years of operation.

 

Volume 2 contains photographs of events in 1999, then jumps ahead to 2017 and 2018.

Scrapbooks

Volume 1 (1993-1998)

Some hidden text

Volume 2 (1999-2018)

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A woman browses the stacks at the Parker Williams Library.

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