About Corpus Christi Public Libraries
Overview
Corpus Christi Public Libraries serves residents of the city through its La Retama Central Library and four branches. It is also a Major Resource Center, one of the ten in the state, and headquarters South Texas Library System and Inter Library Loan. The library is home to LINCC, Library Information Network of Corpus Christi, which supports a wide area network for city libraries and nine public high school libraries. The library actively seeks partnerships and affiliations with complementary organizations and programs.
Statistically speaking, the library serves an immediate population of approximately 280,000 people; our major resource center designation extends our reach to over 1.5 million folks in 26 counties. The size of the library collection includes over 412,000 items including, compact discs, CD-ROMS, books-on-CD, videocassettes, audiocassettes, large print books, electronic books, and over 600 magazine and newspaper subscriptions. The library subscribes to a variety of online services including TexShare, EBSCOhost, Gale Group resources, and NetLibrary. Internet usage is high and growing.
Corpus Christi is a bi-cultural, sun drenched playground on the gulf coast of Texas. Surfing, sailing, fishing i.e. water sports, are favorites of both locals and tourists. The city is home to an award winning museum of science and history, a spectacular art museum, and Heritage Park, a site dedicated to the restoration and preservation of landmark homes from the city's past. Through a long term agreement with Spain, it is host to the Columbus Ships, the only authentic replicas of those first vessels, that dared to cross the treacherous Atlantic. Chamber music, symphony, the chorale, and community theater play to cultural community interests. Our new four year university gained significant stature after being cited by U.S. News and World and Report as one of the best regional schools in the country.
Our Mission
The Corpus Christi Public Libraries share books and other materials with people of all ages and backgrounds in a way that will make library patrons of most and book lovers of many. We furnish popular materials for leisure and study; we provide reference and information to the fact seeker; and we introduce the young to the wonderful world of books. Our helpful, informed staff provides books, answers questions, and presents programs in welcoming surroundings. In a world of credit cards, the library card is free to any resident of the city of Corpus Christi and interest is measured only in lifelong learning and enjoyment.