Library History
Gibsonville’s first public library opened its doors to the community on June 5, 1956. It started out as a bookcase housed in the Whitesell Fuel Services office on West Main Street (where Jack’s Bar-B-Q is now), and was only open for 3 hours a week. It was created and staffed by members of the Gibsonville Book Club in cooperation with the Greensboro Public Library.
In 1958, the newly formed Friends of the Library were able to raise $1,340.74 in a community fund drive to support the library and facilitate the move into a larger space. In December of that year, the library held a holiday open house in its new location – 109 Piedmont Avenue,In the former home of May’s Grocery in downtown Gibsonville.
Thirty years after that first move, the library relocated into its current location at 506 Church Street. An open house was held in February, 1989 in its new home – the 1937 building that the Gibsonville School previously used as a home economics classroom.
In honor of Gibsonville’s 150th year, the library helped to create a website that gathered historical resources available online, as well as share a series of “Photos & Stories” videos online to help the community access some of our town’s history – available to view at giblib.org/youtube In 2007, long-time Gibsonville residents were invited to Town Hall to share images and stories that helped to illustrate the history of our town. These videos, hosted by Neil Bromilow and filmed in partnership with the Elon University School of Communications, are being made available online by the Gibsonville Public Library as a part of our celebration of Gibsonville’s 150th anniversary. View all Photos & Stories videos Part 1: Dr. William Rippy Part 2: Edna Haekett
