The Joe Barnhart Bee County Library
One of Dr. Barnhart’s dreams was the creation of a state-of-art library to serve the public.
Working with the community, the Foundation made that dream a reality and the new library opened in 2001, in a completely-renovated, historic 1906 building in the heart of downtown Beeville.
The library offers extensive computing resources, including desktops and laptops equipped with the latest software and high-speed internet, desktop computers with educational software for children, 3D printing, and a variety of programs for all ages. The facility holds more than 46,000 volumes, including a first edition Samuel Johnson dictionary dated 1755.
An annual endowment from the Foundation goes towards the library operating expenses. The remaining portion of the operating budget is covered by Bee County, the City of Beeville, the Beeville Independent School District, and grants.