Welcome
The Friends of the Belton Public Library, Inc. was formed in 2001 and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Belton's Lena Armstrong Public Library by encouraging the love of reading in the community and by raising funds for distribution of free books to children at local events. The Friends also assist in providing enhancements to the library not covered by the city budget.
The Friends provide and coordinate volunteers as needed for library related events, and promote the enjoyment of books and of reading and writing by sponsoring the Annual Book and Author Luncheon where local authors can present their books.
The library newsletter gives more details concerning the Friends' past and present activities.
The Friends' revenue comes from annual memberships and the proceeds of the ticket sales and silent auction held in conjunction with the Book and Author Luncheon. The Friends' annual membership levels are:
- Student: $1
- Individual: $10
- Family: $20
- Supporter: $50
- Patron: $100
- Benefactor: $500
- Corporate: $1,000+
There is a link to a printable membership form above.
From birthdays to Mother's Day to memorializing a lost loved one or friend, there are many occasions to celebrate someone special in your life while supporting the Friends of the Belton Public Library. Our Memorial/Honorarium Gift Request is for this. You are welcome to complete the printable form and send it to us with your gift. At your request, we will acknowledge your gift to whomever you designate. Your gift will help us continue our important efforts to encourage reading, distribute free books to our community’s children, and to help the library with needed items that are beyond the reach of the library's budget.
Board meetings are held at 11:30 a.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month except the summer months and December. The November meeting is variable due to Thanksgiving. The meetings are usually held at the Harris Community Center in Belton, but check the web site for any change in location. All Friends members are invited to attend the meetings. Information concerning the next scheduled meeting is available in the title bar above. If you have any questions, please send us a message through the contact page.
Our 2022-2024 Officers and Board Members are:
- Al Waite, President
- Juanita Smith, Vice President
- Diane Waite, Secretary
- Jeff Thomas, Treasurer, Membership
- Alice Wilkins, Past President
- Ben Green
- Pam Knuth
- Denzel Holmes
- Karen Forgy
- Janice Pustka
- Steve Troy
- Cherrisue Presnall
- Cynthia Gibson
- Kathy Lester
- Jeff Lyle
- Monica Lane
- Jim Lane
- Keith Ace Hardware, Belton
- Covington Real Estate
- Don Ringler Chevrolet-Toyota
- Dossman Funeral Home
- Ludwick, Montgomery and Stapp, PC
We would like to thank the following local businesses for their financial support:
Who is Lena Armstrong?
The Library had its beginning in 1899, and has employed five Head Librarians. In 1933 the Library became part of the City Government and when the previous librarian, Miss Loulie Meyer retired in 1946 she was replaced by Miss Lena Armstrong. Miss Armstrong served the library and its visitors for the next 52 years.
During her tenure, Miss Armstrong built an impressive genealogy collection and compiled a large collection of family and local history. She was also a contributing author for The Story of Bell County, collected over 3300 photos of Central Texas and was an avid collector of local fossils.
Miss Armstrong retired in December 1998. For her service to the community and for the deep love and respect the people of Belton had for her, the library was renamed the Lena Armstrong Public Library. Miss Armstrong died in January 1999. The library celebrated its 100th anniversary in May of 1999. Kim Adell Kroll was appointed Librarian in October 2000.
Currently the library has over 44,000 items. The Library still maintains and adds to the Lena Armstrong Files on Belton and Bell County, as well as family histories.