A Proud History
Pictured from left: Clark County District Court Judge James Santini, activist Ruby Duncan, R.G. “Zack” Taylor, and Las Vegas City Councilmember Ron Lurie at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
Pictured from left: New library employees Ron Jackson, Ann Thompson, Bill Ludwig, Ms. Spears, and David Feathers at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
Pictured from left: Clark County Commissioner Aaron Williams and Library Director Charles Hunsberger cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
In the early 1970s, community activist Ruby Duncan and members of the Guy Center and Operation Life Inc., spearheaded bringing a library to the neighborhood. They reached out to the Library District, and their goal was simple: “To make children [happier] with reading and learning… We want something enjoyable… a lot of good programing,” said Ms. Duncan.
First Western Savings and Loan helped to fund the purchase and rehab of a building at 1402 N. “D” St., which would become the West Las Vegas Library. It opened on December 2, 1973, as a tribute to the many diverse groups who planned and founded it. Seven months after the library opened, Library Director Executive Charles Hunsberger announced a record 1,054 customers during the month of June 1974. To demonstrate the growth that we have enjoyed at our current location, today we serve an average of 21,000 people per month.
The current West Las Vegas Library, located at 951 West Lake Mead Blvd., was an outgrowth of the city's expansion in the late 1980s. The Library District was able to obtain this corner lot from the City of Las Vegas (which still owns the land). The new West Las Vegas Library was constructed there and the “D” Street staff and materials moved into a brand new 16,000 square foot building. Ms. Duncan, Dr. James McMillan, William “Bob” Bailey, Verlia Davis, and George Ward were recognized as “Advocates of the West Las Vegas Library” when it opened its doors to great celebration on January 2, 1989.
Did You Know?
Here are some facts about the West Las Vegas Library's history that you may not know:
- Increased Circulation – In 1974, after our first full year of operation, we had seen a circulation of 13,957 items from our collection. Today, we circulate an average of 36,000 items per year.
- Easy Self-Service – In 2008, to eliminate long lines, we added the automated check-in and self-service check-out machines.
- African American Special Collection – The West Las Vegas Library houses the African American Special Collection, which focuses on the Black experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the West. The District's objectives in developing this Special Collection are to empower members of the community and enable them to relive and rediscover the vibrancy of the Historic West Side. The collection also examines the many historic contributions of African Americans to the development of the United States. Learn more .
- Free Tutoring & Homework Help – In 2001, we expanded the West Las Vegas Library to create the Young People's Library, and later, in 2007, we incorporated the Library District's first dedicated Homework Help Center. The Young People's Library offers core educational print and electronic materials for students K-12, with a 20-seat dedicated homework help computer lab.
- Expanding Services – In 2021, we were able to rearrange a portion of the library's layout to increase our Computer Center to include 40 computers and a dedicated Teen Zone.
In the early 1970s, community activist Ruby Duncan and members of the Guy Center and Operation Life Inc., spearheaded bringing a library to the neighborhood. They reached out to the Library District, and their goal was simple: "To make children [happier] with reading and learning… We want something enjoyable… a lot of good programing," said Ms. Duncan.
Pictured from left: Clark County District Court Judge James Santini, activist Ruby Duncan, R.G. "Zack" Taylor, and Las Vegas City Councilmember Ron Lurie at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
First Western Savings and Loan helped to fund the purchase and rehab of a building at 1402 N. "D" St., which would become the West Las Vegas Library. It opened on December 2, 1973, as a tribute to the many diverse groups who planned and started it. Seven months after the library opened, Library Director Executive Charles Hunsberger announced a record 1,054 customers during the month of June 1974. To demonstrate the growth that we have enjoyed at our current location, today we serve an average of 21,000 people per month.
Pictured from left: New library employees Ron Jackson, Ann Thompson, Bill Ludwig, Ms. Spears, David Feathers at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
The current West Las Vegas Library, located at 951 West Lake Mead Blvd., was an outgrowth of the city's expansion in the late 1980s. The Library District was able to obtain this corner lot from the City of Las Vegas (which still owns the land). The new West Las Vegas Library was constructed on the West Lake Mead Boulevard site and the "D" Street staff and materials moved into a brand new, 16,000-square-foot building. Ms. Duncan, Dr. James McMillan, William “Bob” Bailey, Verlia Davis, and George Ward were recognized as “Advocates of the West Las Vegas Library” when it opened its doors to great celebration on January 2, 1989.
Pictured from left: Clark County Commissioner Aaron Williams and Library Director Charles Hunsberger cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the West Las Vegas Library on Dec. 2, 1973.
Did You Know?
Here are some facts about the West Las Vegas Library's history that you may not know:
- Increased Circulation – In 1974, after our first full year of operation, we had seen a circulation of 13,957 items from our collection. Today, we circulate an average of 60,000 items per year.
- Easy Self-Service – In 2008, to eliminate long lines, we added the automated check-in and self-service check-out machines.
- African American Special Collection – The West Las Vegas Library houses the African American Special Collection, which focuses on the Black experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the West. The District's objectives in developing this Special Collection are to empower members of the community and enable them to relive and rediscover the vibrancy of the Historic West Side. The collection also examines the many historic contributions of African Americans to the development of the United States. Learn more .
- Free Tutoring & Homework Help – In 2001, we expanded the West Las Vegas Library to create the Young People's Library, and later, in 2007, we incorporated the Library District's first dedicated Homework Help Center. The Young People's Library offers core educational print and electronic materials for students K-12, with a 20-seat dedicated homework help computer lab.
- Expanding Services – In 2021, we were able to rearrange a portion of the library's layout to increase our Computer Center to include 40 computers and a dedicated Teen Zone.