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East side library opens

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

The dream of one East Cleburne Community Center volunteer came to fruition Wednesday with the official opening of the East Cleburne Community Center Walter G. Mize Library, located in the former Santa Fe Elementary building.

Attendees praised the efforts of many in helping to make the library a reality but gave special thanks to Milly Vaughn for initiating the project.

“The ECCC programs are done mainly through our volunteers because they love children and buy into our goals and mission,” said Jean Pickett, ECCC executive director. “Milly came to the board and said ‘We need a library in east Cleburne’ and I thought, ‘Yeah right, more work.’ But she kept saying it, and it truly became a community project with more people buying into it, leaving books on our doorstep and helping out.”

Looking around the room, Pickett said she was amazed.

“I was truly surprised when I walked in this morning to see what a wonderful job they’ve done in here,” Pickett said. “I didn’t want to see it until this morning.”

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, further praised the library and those who worked toward it.

“To Milly I say that sometimes dreams come true, and isn’t it wonderful?” Edwards said. “The good book I follow says those without a dream perish, and what a dream this is.

The library exemplifies two major values, Edwards said.

“It will help shape the future of our leaders of tomorrow, our young people,” Edwards said. “Here, maybe their dreams can begin to come true as they learn a love of reading and knowledge.

“It also shows the values of families in Cleburne through giving back, altruism and team work. So it’s about the future and what this library says of the values of today.”

Cleburne Mayor Ted Reynolds was introduced by ECCC Chairman Dexter Baldwin as the man responsible for donating the bulk of the library’s romance section.

Reynolds spoke of his love of reading developed as a child reading “Treasure Island” and other books and said he hopes the new library inspires the children of today.

The library is not meant to replace or compete with the Cleburne Public Library, Vaughn said. It is to fill a need in east Cleburne and for all of Cleburne, she said, but especially those residents who can’t always travel downtown.

ECCC officials added that Cleburne Public Library officials donated shelving and other support for the new library.

ECCC members chose to name the library after the late Walter Mize because of his family’s support.

Mary Ann Mize donated some books, then more, and it grew from there, Vaughn said.

“I was overwhelmed to see [the library] this morning, and Milly was at the brink of tears and can’t believe this happened,” Mize said. “For some reason I became more involved and more interested in the project. Walter was always a big supporter of the ECCC and Dexter Baldwin.

“I felt God’s hand on this project from the start. And, if God wants a project done, he’s going to equip you and make it possible. I really look forward to coming in here and seeing Mrs. Milly in here with a room full of people.”

For her part, Vaughn was quick to credit others with the library’s realization.

“There’s so many, so many people who brought books and helped out,” Vaughn said. “I never would have imagined all the books we got, and I can’t even begin to tell you everyone who’s helped. I was in church Sunday, and someone in Sunday school slipped me money to help pay for subscriptions.”

Library hours remain to be finalized, Vaughn said.

ECCC officials plan to open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with hopes to add Saturday hours soon.

That all depends upon volunteers, ECCC officials said, which the organization always needs for the library and the many other ECCC programs and services.

Officials also encourage donations of money and books or covering the subscription costs of newspapers and magazines.

The library is located at 304 Trinity St.

For information, to donate or to volunteer, call 817-556-3716.