The Dallas Public Library's Fine Books collection was established shortly after the formation of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library in 1950. Among the Friends were scholars, writers and artists who respected mankind's attempts to chronicle ideas through the recorded word, and felt that developing a collection of finely produced and highly significant volumes would provide Library users with access to the best books of all ages. They believed that a great library requires fine and original editions to stir the imagination and evoke the historic times that produced them.

Early support for the Fine Books collection came from leaders of the Friends, including Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott, Leon A. Harris, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Green, Virginia Lazenby O'Hara, Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Mayer, Erin Bain Jones (Mrs. John Leddy-Jones), Lon Tinkle, Rabbi Levi Olan, and the Stanley Marcus family.

The collection was first housed in a rare book room honoring Edna Rowe, an influential English teacher and author, at the old downtown library at Commerce and Harwood. Through a generous bequest from Mrs. Virginia Lazenby O'Hara, whose family established the Dr. Pepper Company, a fine books area was included when the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library opened in 1982.

Today, the Dallas Public Library's Fine Books collection numbers over 2,750 volumes donated by Dallas citizens or purchased with endowment or gift funds. No tax revenues are used to acquire books for the collection.

Access to the Fine Books Collection

Because of the many unique and fragile resources in the Fine Books collection, no items circulate outside the Library. Most of the titles are listed in the Dallas Public Library's online catalog, but staff can assist with specialized searches.

Plan Your Visit

The Dallas History & Archives Division is located on the 7th floor of the Central Library. Parking is available in the library’s parking garage which is accessible from Wood Street.For items in the Fine Books collection, an appointment is required. Appointments are available for up to one hour per month. Please contact us at 214-670-1435 or texas@dallaslibrary.org to schedule.

What to Expect when you arrive:

• Secure and place all bags and personal belongings under your chair or table.

• Use pencils, not pens, while in the Reading Room. We will provide, if needed.

• Cell phones, laptops, and tablets may be used. Please consult with staff about the use of cameras and personal scanning devices.

• All archive materials must be used in the reading room and may not be checked out.

• Due to the value of some items, you may be required to view the item with a staff member present.

Available in the Reading Room:

• KIC Scanner – scan documents which can be saved or emailed

• Two microfilm computers – scan and save images from the microfilm collection

• Two public computers for research and accessing library databases