Bryan and College Station participate in a unique situation, having signed an interlocal governmental contract in 1986 for Bryan to operate a branch library in College Station. How did this come about? In 1979 College Station began contributing money to Bryan to purchase books for the Bryan Library. The funding began at $15,000 and reached $30,000 annually in just a few years. Minutes from a CS city council meeting stated the $30,000 was in appreciation of a well-run library. The funds provided a spurt of growth for the Bryan Library collection.

Bryan Public Library 2007

Etching of Bryan Library in 1969

Contribution of funds to Bryan's library services prompted informal discussions and the appointment of a citizen committee by Mayor Gary Halter in 1984 to determine how library services could be developed in College Station. Larry Ringer, who later became mayor, chaired the committee. The recommendation to the College Station City Council to open a branch of the Bryan Public Library in a store front location of at least 3,000 square feet was received without dissent. A new city manager, King Cole, came on board and was encouraged to pursue an agreement with Bryan. Cole and Ernie Clark, Bryan's city manager at the time, directed staff to write a contract. The CS Branch library opened in February of 1987 with 10,000 books on the shelves, many of them from the Bryan Library collection. In two years, it expanded to almost 6,000 square feet, circulation grew and the staff doubled.

In 1989 a second citizen committee was formed. In 1990, the City Council downsized the recommendation by that committee to build a 30,000 square foot library. However, the bond issue to construct a new facility of half that size failed by seven votes in 1991. In 1995 a bond issue finally passed that resulted in the construction of a 16,000 square foot library. A library task force was appointed by the CS city council. Larry Ringer, having retired from being Mayor, was chosen to head the group. A member of the Bryan Library Board, the late Bill Barzak, was appointed along with others who were active in the Friends of the Library. This board traveled in Texas to visit libraries and raised an additional $300,000 to pay for added features in the new library, which was designed by architect Bill Hidell.

The contract with Bryan was revised and designated the Bryan City Librarian as the Community Librarian to be the administrator of the library staff and operations. It provided for a new makeup of the Library Advisory Board. Four members are from Bryan and four are from College Station.

Larry J. Ringer Library
Opened March 12, 1998

Courtyard Near Entrance

The new College Station Library opened March 12, 1998 and circulation promptly doubled. The Library opened in a highly visible location across from the high school with 10 public access computers with Internet connections, a snack bar, two study rooms, a meeting room, modem outlets for laptops, in an attractive, colorful modern building.

In 2004 the College Station Library was renamed in honor of former Mayor Larry J. Ringer.