In 1938 several women's clubs 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. It is the mission of Ector County Library to enable every person in Ector County to achieve their full potential by empowering them with information and knowledge. The library strives to select, organize, preserve, and make available materials in a variety of formats to meet the recreational, educational, cultural and informational needs in an efficient and effective manner to our diverse community.
Dedicated to those all those who have taken the oath of office for presidency of the United States rather than a single individual, the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library is the only one of its kind. Created after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, citizens of Odessa wanted to honor those who have held the office. The library and museum contain information on each of the presidents and many documents and paraphernalia relating to their lives and time in office.
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Whether you are an alumni, current, or prospective student, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a campus worth visiting. The campus features a replica of Stonehenge, the Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery, and a nationally accredited business school. Home of the falcons, UTPB is also proud of its reputation and involvement in research to better the economy of the Permian Basin.
