The Rapides Parish Library began as an experimental
"demonstration" library project by the Louisiana State Library
in the early 1940s. During the 1930s, Louisiana's rural population was
one of the least read sections of the nation, and so the State Library
undertook a bold project to provide Louisiana residents with library
materials. Several temporary "demonstration" library projects
were set up across Louisiana with state funding in order to show local
communities the benefits which a permanent public library system could
provide. The Rapides Parish Library
was the largest of these projects, and it officially opened for business
on January 16, 1942 with the opening of the Alexandria Branch. In the
weeks that followed, branches opened in Pineville, Boyce, Cheneyville,
Lecompte, Glenmora, and Tioga. To provide reading materials to the many
servicemen located in central Louisiana during the Second World War, the
demonstration project also opened branches at Camp Beauregard and the
USO at 8th and Casson Streets in Alexandria. Another major component of
the Rapides Parish Library's demonstration project was the Bookmobile
service, and the Rapides
Bookmobile proved extremely popular with children and adults
across the parish.
Rapides Parish Library 411 Washington Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Telephone: 318-442-1858
url: http://www.rpl.org
Administration/Staff
The Rapides Parish Library
was the largest of these projects, and it officially opened for business
on January 16, 1942 with the opening of the Alexandria Branch. In the
weeks that followed, branches opened in Pineville, Boyce, Cheneyville,
Lecompte, Glenmora, and Tioga. To provide reading materials to the many
servicemen located in central Louisiana during the Second World War, the
demonstration project also opened branches at Camp Beauregard and the
USO at 8th and Casson Streets in Alexandria. Another major component of
the Rapides Parish Library's demonstration project was the Bookmobile
service, and the