Enable every County resident and visitor in our diverse, growing community to reach their full potential by empowering them with information, discovery, knowledge and lifelong learning.

Transform into a one-stop shop community hub of free informational, educational, cultural, civic and recreational resources.

• BUILD a new, innovative library and system of branches
• Continue to REPRESENT and reflect the changing, diverse needs of our community of users
• Create and IMPLEMENT value-added services and programs for patrons
• PROVIDE first-class customer service in person and virtually

In 1938 several women’s clubs which included the Odessa Book Club persuaded the county to refurbish the old courthouse-square jail as Odessa’s first public library. From 1938 to 1942 Lila White served as organizing librarian. Started with 800 donated books, the collection tripled within one year and a children’s section was added. In 1942 a new library was constructed at 622 N. Lee. From 1943 to 1963 under librarian Velma Barrett, circulation swelled and the building expanded in 1957. It functioned 39 years until a burgeoning 300,000 item inventory required a larger space at 321 West 5th in 1981. Unique library resources include southwestern history and genealogy collections. Book circulation and library patronage per capita are among Texas’ highest

Ector County Library
321 West 5th Street
Odessa, Texas 79761
Phone: (432) 332-0633
Library Hours
Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm
(2nd and 3rd Floors closed Saturday 1:00-2:00 for lunch)
Closed Sunday