Mr. Shamp passed away peacefully after a long illness on December 16, 2018.

Donors for this memorial are Louella Doucet, Ginger Tuttle, Laura Fosdick, Keilah Baaheth, and Bobby Hanks. 

Acknowledgement sent to Deborah Harper, Vidor, Texas.

The following books were placed in Groves Public Library in Mr. Shamp's honor:

Four Hours of Fury by James M. Fenelon
How to Do Everything: Genealogy 4th Ed. by George Morgan

It was announced Monday, that Louella Doucet will step into the position vacated by Deborah Harper in May 2018, to become the new Groves Public Library Director.

Louella first began her library work when she was attending Port Neches-Groves ISD as part of the work-school program. She was 17 years old. She has been working at GPL ever since.

Through the years, Louella has been the Children's Program coordinator, tech services manager and Interim Director on many occasions. She worked alongside, retired library director Deborah Harper, for thirteen years.

Louella is a part of the Groves community, having moved to Groves as a youngster, married and raised a family.

She and her team of full time and part-time library workers and volunteers will carry on running the library that has been an integral part of Groves since the mid-1930's.

Next time you visit the library, step in and congratulate Louella on becoming the new library director!

The memorial was made by Charlie and Bonnie Wallace and Family.

A book is being researched and will be added to the collection in Mr. Martin's honor.

Due to rising costs of books, this item will serve as a reminder that any memorial made to GPL needs to be $30 to cover the book costs.

Beginning March 1, 2018, the cost of any regular print memorial will be $30, whether adult or children's book. Any donation given in the name of a loved one under $30, will be listed simply as a donation and no book will be added to the collection.

The cost of a large print book will remain at $35.

We appreciate your letting us memorialize your loved one with a book for our library. We do our best to research and locate just the perfect book. We also do our best to honor your wishes of a particular subject. Keep in mind if we cannot find a suitable book on your request, we will choose a book that we feel will be circulated well and be worthy of the memory you specified.

BEVERAGE AND SNACKS IN THE LIBRARY

Beginning May 1, 2018, Groves Public Library will not be allowing food, or drinks inside the library. Because there is a fountain in the library foyer for water, water bottles are not allowed inside the library. Patrons may bring drinks in the library foyer. Eating outside at the picnic table is allowed as long as all food items are disposed of promptly and correctly.

Additionally, after May 1, the coffee will no longer be for sale at the library.

Library users will be given one warning that they are not to have open drink and food items in the library. If the patron or visitor still does not comply, they will be asked to leave the library.

              Signed by Deborah Harper, Library Director

New DVDs  will now be called "3 Day DVDs" and will not be able to be reserved online, on the phone, or in person. They will be available on a first come, first serve basis only.

This is in order to ensure that all patrons have the same access to the newer titles in our collection.

3-Day DVDs will circulate for only 3 days. You can return them in the outside book drop that is in place along the back driveway at the library after hours. The fine for a late 3-Day DVD will be $1.00 per day.

Beginning immediately, GPL can only accept one box of donated materials. We have run out of storage space. There is a recycling place in Nederland that takes paper items. We will not be having formal "book sales" in the immediate future, but we do have a book sale room with reasonable prices. Other libraries in the area may take your items, please check with them.

Please make sure your donations are in good condition: no water damage, bugs, cigarette smoke, torn or marked pages, etc.

Books must be no older than 3 years old to be considered for the shelves.

Beginning Immediately--changes in over 18 and under 18 circulation

Adults can now check out 12 items. Of the 12, 4 may be DVDs and 5 may be audios. Late charges for audios have increased to $1 from .15 cents to be more in line with DVDs instead of print materials.

Children can also check out 12 items, 4 of which may be audios.

1.      Over 18 and Under 18 can now have 12 items total

2.      Among the 12, 5 may be audios, which carry a late fine of $1 per day for both “over 18” and “under 18” and check out for 14 days.

3.      Among the 12 for “over 18”, (4) may be DVDs, which circulate for 7 days and carry a late fine of $1 per day.

FAQ: Public Libraries and Open Carry

Handguns and Texas Libraries Home | For Campuses of Higher Education

Can public library districts in Texas choose to ban users with an open/concealed carry license from bringing a firearm into the library?

No, library districts are public entities and not specifically exempted under the law (Texas Penal Code §46.035) so a library cannot choose to impose their own local restrictions. In most cases, public library districts may not prohibit licensed individuals from bringing handguns into the library, and the library may not wrongfully post signs.

Can a public library that is established as a non-profit organization restrict access for library users with an open/concealed handgun carry license?

Yes. If the library and building are owned by a private non-profit organization, the library building is private property, and therefore the property owner can ask their users not to bring firearms into the facility. As a non-governmental entity, the library would have to inform the public of this prohibition with a notice posted as specified in Texas Penal Code §30.06 and 30.07.

Can I post a sign that handguns may not be carried in my public library?

No, unless your library and premises are owned by a private non-profit organization. A private, non-profit library can post a notice as outlined in Texas Penal Code §30.06 and 30.07.

Are there any individual times or days where handguns would be banned?

Yes, there are a few. Handguns are not allowed at a library, even for licensed carriers, at the following times:

• during school-sponsored activities on library grounds (Texas Penal Code §46.03(a)(1))
• during early voting or on election day if the library is a polling place (Texas Penal Code §46.03(a)(2))
• during a meeting of a governmental body, such as a public library district board meeting, but only in the room where the meeting is being held (Texas Penal Code §46.035(c))

Does the person licensed to carry the handgun need to have it secured in any way?

Yes. The weapon, whether loaded or unloaded, must be kept in a shoulder or belt holster (Texas Penal Code §46.02). Also, it is always illegal to brandish a firearm in any way that might be interpreted as threatening (Texas Penal Code §42.01)

Can library staff make a user show proof that they are licensed to carry a handgun?

No. Law enforcement personnel however, have the right to request proof of a person’s license to carry a handgun.

What about library employees and volunteers? Can they be banned from carrying handguns in the library?

They can be. Libraries may prohibit their employees and volunteers from bringing handguns into the workplace and from carrying in employer-owned or leased vehicles used for work (Texas Labor Code §52.062(a)(b)). This is the case whether or not the employee is licensed to carry a handgun.

Libraries may not restrict staff who are licensed to carry a handgun from having the weapon in a locked personal vehicle in the employer’s parking lot (Texas Labor Code §52.061).

Beginning immediately, Groves Public Library will be allowing new card registrants to check out two titles of their choice on the day they initially come into the library for a card.
Previously, potential patrons had to wait to return their address verification letter before being allowed to check anything out. However, this change will allow anyone who presents valid credentials to be considered for a library card to check out two hardcover or paperback titles of their choice. Once they return with the address verification proof, then they will become full members with full check out rights.

ID needed to become a member is a valid Texas ID or Driver's license showing the current address of the applicant, or a current utility bill or lease showing the name and address of the applicant. After showing proof of name and address, a potential patron is required to wait 3 days to receive a address verification letter from the library. They in turn must bring this letter back to the library to receive their card.

Groves Public Library wants everyone to feel welcomed when they come to the library, particularly first time visitors who request to join our library. We are striving to see that everyone walks away with a book in their hand.

Copies---On Copier: Charge=20 cents per page, limit of 20 copies. NO EXCEPTIONS! (October 30, 2017)
Patrons using the copier in the library must pay for their copies at the counter before leaving. 

Patron is responsible for paying for any copies that are made in error.

The library is responsible for the cost of the toner and supplies for copiers and printers.

Due to circumstances beyond  the library's control, patron and visitor access to WIFI outside the library building will be limited to hours that the library is open. On weekdays, we will discontinue WIFI at 5 PM. On Saturday, WIFI will only be available till 3 PM.

We regret having to restrict our WIFI access. This is contrary to what the library stands for. However, because of the behavior that has been exhibited by some weekend visitors, it seems the WIFI access is not being used in the manner we meant for it to be.

Hopefuly, we can re-assess this decision after 60 days.

Update September 19, 2024

TexShare Lending Policy 

Restrictions/Limitations

Incoming TexShare users are limited to six (6) print items and two (2) DVDs per circulation period. The circulation period is two weeks or 14 days. They are eligible for one (1) renewal per material per two-week period.  

A Groves Public Library cardholder may be issued a TexShare card to borrow from a participating area library if the following conditions are met:

They have been a GPL user for at least 3 months.

They have a library account that is in good standing with no fines, lost materials, or problems on their account.

TexShare cards issued by Groves Public Library to another participating library within the State of Texas are valid for at least 3 months to one year in length.  If the borrowing library reports a problem with a TexShare user from GPL, the record of that user at GPL will be suspended until the problem is resolved.

Eligibility

Incoming TexShare card holders should come to the circulation desk and present the card from their home library along with current photo id and proof of their current physical address. The date on the TexShare card should be current. Incoming card holders will be presented an application for a library card with Groves Public Library. They will be under a special classification of TexShare user in the automation system.

Account/Material Renewals

TexShare designation in our system is good for one year. During that one-year period, it is up to the user to alert the library as to any change in their physical address, phone or other information on their record. The computer will send out renewal notices at the end of the one-year time period. If the user does not respond to the notice to renew their account, the record will be expunged from the system and the user shall no longer be considered a valid TexShare member.

TexShare users can renew their print materials by phone (409-962-6281), by text (409-203-6642), online (with their library patron account) or in person at the circulation desk. TexShare users may have one renewal unless the materials in their possession are on reserve for another user.

Returning

Materials checked out can be deposited in one of the two outside book drops or brought into the library in person. 

If a TexShare user wishes to mail in their materials, they should address it as follows:

Groves Public Library

5600 W. Washington
Groves, Texas 77612
Attention: Circulation

Overdue Reminders/Fines/Lost or Damaged Materials

TexShare users are subject to the same reminders as regular patrons. Although we have a system set up for alerting patrons that they are overdue, it is the responsibility of the patron to return their materials in a timely manner.  The fine per day for TexShare designees is twenty-five cents (25) cents per day. If the user accrues $5.00 in fines, their account will be suspended until the account is paid in full.

Materials will be considered lost after they are 30 days overdue, the patron has been alerted, a staff search is complete and the users confirms that they cannot find the material. The TexShare user will be charged the retail price of the material plus a $5.00 processing fee.

Non-Circulating Items

TexShare designees are not eligible to check out the following materials: Books on CD or cassette, books under one year of age, genealogical or Texas history reference books, ready reference materials, books in a series, large print books in the CTLS rotating collection, or current children’s award titles.

Louella Doucet

Director

TexShare Program Agreement

Printable TexShare Lending Policy