The first public library in Bridgeport evolved from an idea by the Reverend David Evans, Jr., pastor of the Bridgeport Presbyterian Church. Reverend Evans started his efforts in late 1959 and succeeded in opening the first library in Bridgeport in February of 1961. Volunteers that helped open the library were Mrs. Barbara Halliday, Mrs. Hazel Castleberry, Mrs. Helen Bird and Mrs. Ethel Smith. The library was housed in the building above the old Hawkins Flower Shop at 1028 Halsell Street .

Books for the library were donated by Mrs. Smith and several of her friends. At the end of the first month over 60 books had been added to the library shelves. The library treasury contained $3.00.

The library stayed above the flower shop for six months, then moved to a building owned by Mr. Gene Hembree on 13th Street . Mr. Hembree allowed the library to occupy space rent free. In 1963, Mr. Hembree purchased a new building on 10th Street and Cates Street . He moved his business and took the library along but charged the library a $20.00 monthly rental fee. By this time the library had accumulated over 1200 books. During this period of time volunteers were hard to come by and Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Smith had begun working at the Denton State School two days a week. Lack of help caused the library to be disbanded. More than 2000 books were donated to the Bridgeport Junior High School library and the 200 books borrowed from the state library system were returned. The first Bridgeport Library was now gone.

Through the efforts of Mrs. Mary Waters, president of the Amity Club, the public library was revived on 20 July 1964. A library organization was formed with Charter Members being; John Burt, president; Mrs. C.J.Waters, vice-president; Mrs. Bobby Hawkins, secretary; Mrs. V.E. Baldridge, treasurer; Mrs. Howard Jordan, head librarian; and Mrs. Dayton O'Neal, reporter. The Bridgeport Lions Club donated a room in their headquarters for the library. The Lions Club had purchased the old Methodist Church on the northeast corner of 11th Street and Cates Street for their headquarters.

Mrs. Mary Davis, Bridgeport High School Librarian, retired from her position at the high school and assisted Mrs. Waters in recovering the library books previously given to the school. These two women were instrumental in reorganizing the library. They received help from most of the city's civic groups. For several years the president of the Lions Club served as president of the library. Soon the library overflowed into a second room in the Lions Club building. At this time the City of Bridgeport agreed to pay the librarian, Mrs. Mary Davis, $1 an hour. Other money came from various clubs.

In 1974, the Lions Club sold their facility and announced plans for a new location. The library moved to temporary quarters in the Bridgeport City Hall .

In February of 1977, the library moved to its new home at 1107 8th Street . At this time the library had over 11,000 books, many of them purchased through the state library system. In 1987 the library received a $25,000 gift from the Jackson Trust Fund. The details of this gift is documented in an article that appeared in the Bridgeport Index and can be viewed by clicking on THE JACKSON FUND. This funding laid the ground work for a new updated library. Details of the planned library can be read by clicking on NEW LIBRARY.

The new library was opened in its present location at 2159 10th Street and HWY 380 in September of 1990.