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About the Library

Image of the library

Our Vision


The vision of the Nicholas P. Sims Library is a community resource that helps build healthy families, vibrant neighborhoods, and thriving businesses -- the foundation of a strong Waxahachie.

Mission Statement

 

The Nicholas P. Sims Library's mission is to provide the best library services to the residents of Waxahachie in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible by:

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  • Promoting reading, reading readiness programs and cooperative literacy programs.

  • Offering the opportunity for self-development to people of all ages and all stages of education.

  • Recognizing that knowledge, information, and entertainment are presented in many formats such as printed word, audio, video recordings, and computerized databases.

  • Providing reference and genealogical specialized resources to sustain, and to preserve the heritage of Waxahachie and Ellis County.

  • Supporting the educational, civic, and cultural activities of individuals, organizations, and groups in the community.

  • Maintaining collections of resources which reflect the present, past, and a vision for the future.

  • Promoting and preserving those materials which chronicle the life and culture of the citizens of Waxahachie.

  • Making library materials available to all library card holders.

History of
Sims Library

Image of the Original 1905 Building of Sims Library

1905

Image of Sims Library in 1970

1970

Image of Sims Library in 2017

2017

White Pillars
Historical photo of man in hat and coat on a porch. This is Nicholas P. Sims.

Original Building
Nicholas P. Sims (to the left)

  • Nicholas P. Sims donated his estate to build a public library for Waxahachie

  • Library was built during 1903-1904

  • Land was donated by Waxahachie's first Mayor, Capt. W.H. Getzendaner

  • Library site was once known as Getzendaner Park

  • Opened to the public April 26, 1905

  • One of the first public libraries built in Texas

  • One of the first privately endowed libraries in Texas

Watercolor portrait of a man from the library's history. This man is U.T. Buckner.

The U.T. Buckner Room
Opened in 1990

  • U.T. Buckner donated his estate to three non-profit organizations benefiting children, Sims Library being one

  • He specifically requested that the funds be used for the education and entertainment of children

  • Harriet Grandstaff painted a mural from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book in 1958

  • Waxahachie Junior Service League donated computers

  • Houses the children's collections

  • Includes a computer lab for children

Nicholas P. Sims Library drawing 1905.

Construction
Original Building

S. Weymes Smith of Ft. Worth was the original architect. The original building featured a classical Renaissance style with Doric columns.

The central unit features white Vermont marble, a pressed tin ceiling, a curved bay window, and winding staircase. Sims library has many of the original pieces of furniture and book collection dating back over 100 years.

Original Cost

In 1905 the original cost was $34,255:

  • $24,980.95 for the building

  • $5,540.53 for books

  • $3,734.28 for furniture

Older man in suit with glasses and woman in purple jacket. Pictured are Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Larkin.

The W. H. Larkin Wing
Opened June 11, 1967

  • Houses adult fiction, mysteries, science fiction, as well as adult nonfiction

  • Mrs. Frances (Sue) Askew Larkin donated the funds to build this wing and served on the Library Board from 1966 to her death in 1980

Man with white hair in a dark suit. Pictured J. Harry Phillips.

The J. Harry Phillips Wing
Opened June 7, 1958

  • J. Harry Phillips donated the funds to build this wing after librarian Mrs. J. R. Hood proved that children do read library books

  • Originally housed the Children's collection

  • Remodeled in 1988 to include a meeting room, restrooms, and lobby with display cases

Library room with bookshelves, wooden tables, and a copier

Reference and Geneaology
Added in 1990

  • Houses the Reference, Limited Access, Genealogy and Texas Collections

  • Access to a microfilm reader

  • Renovated in 2012 to create a Teen Room

  • Provides a quiet study area

Library study area with tables, green chairs, and shelves

The Teen Room
Opened in February 2013

  • Houses the Young Adult collections including an extensive graphic novel / manga collection

  • Has a collaborative computer center

  • Provides access to Xbox 360 and Nintendo Switch video games

  • Crafts, activities, board games, and a movie viewing area available during opening hours. 

  • Access to a 3D printer

  • Is used to host teen and home-school events throughout the year 

Sepia portrait of a man with a mustache in a suit. Dunlap pictured.

The Dunlap Reading Room
Opened in February 2013

  • A beautifully restored reading lounge

  • Houses the Inspirational Fiction, Audio-Books, Larger Print, and Paperback collections, as well as the magazines and periodicals

  • Provides electrical access and free Wi-Fi access

Library room with computer workstations and bookshelves

The Adult Computer Center
Opened in February 2013

Historic library auditorium with ornate stage and empty seats

Lyceum
Completed in 1905

Woman smiling at office desk with bookshelves

Jennifer Graf
Library Director

The current Director of The Nicholas P. Sims Library is Jennifer Graf. Jennifer was born and raised in Maypearl, Texas. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005 and obtained her Master's in Library Science from Texas Woman's University in 2018. Jennifer loves to read Historical Fiction, History, and Mysteries. "Lonesome Dove" and "The Book Thief" are her two favorite books. 

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