The Katy Library, 5414 Franz Road, on May 10 celebrated its 20^th anniversary at that location. It was a special celebration featuring the Paetow High pom-pom squad, a story time and the requisite cake and punch. Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones sent well wishes and a proclamation. Mayor Dusty Thiele issued a proclamation from the City of Katy.

Former Mayor Don Elder Jr., who served on the Katy City Council when the building was built and dedicated, gave a keynote address to the partygoers, mostly young students, many accompanied by their parents. He praised the librarians who served library patrons over the years.

“They had a great opportunity to do things that were good for the community,” Elder said.

Libraries continue to play an important role today. Elder said about 30% of students in schools today cannot read. Some, he said, could not write, and others could not do a basic math problem.

“We have a definite need for reading to take hold and help these young students get their education,” Elder said. “There should be no one that doesn’t have an opportunity to read and have a form of literacy in their life.”

Elder said that reading is a top priority, probably the top priority, that one can have in a school, a city or a county.

“If you can’t read, it’s going to be a long unhappy way in life because everyone around you is going to be able to read,” Elder said. “This library has probably helped more people in Harris County, Katy and surrounding areas achieve a lot of different skills.”

Elder said the city of Katy has been fortunate that the library has been available for the community. He said it is special for the families that use and have need for it.

The May 10 celebration was for the building, which opened in 2003. The library goes back even further.

According to its website, the Katy Library dates back to 1921, when the Katy Garden Club opened it in private homes. Later, the library shared space in a grocery and furniture store before operating out of the old Katy Fire Department on 2nd Avenue. Construction on the current library building began in 2002.

While the city itself does not have a library department, the Katy Library is considered the city’s library because it falls within the city limits. The library itself is part of the Harris County Public Library system.

Boggs, who celebrated her 30^th birthday at the party, was named director last August.

For more information about the library, visit the website hcpl.net/locations/kt.