Nicholas P. Sims serves all of Ellis County. We offer programming for all ages.
Main Entrance and
Original Library Building
Nicholas P. Sims Library and Lyceum was constructed in 1903-1904, after Mr. Nicholas P. Sims, a local farmer and investor, left the bulk of his estate for the establishment of a library for the people of Waxahachie and Ellis County. The library was built on land given to the city by its first mayor, Captain W. H. Getzendaner. This site was originally known as Getzendaner Park. The architect for the building was S. Weymes Smith of Ft. Worth. The library opened April 26, 1905, and has been serving the public since that time. It was one of the first ten public libraries in Texas and certainly one of the first privately endowed libraries.
The original building is classical Renaissance design with Tiffany enameled brick outside, white Vermont marble on the stairway in the front foyer, and in the center portion of the building. Copper cornices are used under the eaves of the roof. The front entrance portico is supported by massive Doric columns. Marble Ionic columns are used inside the original building. The library was designed so that the Lyceum could be used independently of the main floor. The ceiling is pressed tin, plastered, and painted in white. The curved area at the back of the Dunlap Reading Room gives a bay window effect. A winding staircase in this area (closed to the public) leads to the basement. The library currently houses a collection of 68,207 books, magazines, newspapers, music cd’s, books on cd, dvd’s, microforms and other items.
The original cost of the library in 1905 was:
Building……………………………….$24,980.95
Books………………………………… $5,540.53
Furniture……………………………... $3,734.28
Total cost………………………………$34,255.76
The W. H. Larkin Wing
The W. H. Larkin Wing was opened on June 11, 1967. In 1965, the library trustees had pledged to raise money for a new wing and set ten years as its goal to complete the fund raising .The plans were published in the local paper. Mrs. Frances (Sue) Askew Larkin, wife of a local industrialist, told her husband that she would like for them to give funds for the new wing. The Larkin’s contacted the trustees, and when all the details were worked out, construction began on the new addition. This wing houses adult fiction, mysteries, science-fiction, story collections, non-fiction, Texas history, biographies, new books, and the Spanish collection.
Mrs. Larkin was appointed to the Board of Trustees in August of 1966, and served until her death in 1980. The portrait displayed on the east wall of the wing is of W.H. and Sue Larkin.
The Dunlap Reading Room
Mr. S. M. Dunlap was Mr. Sims son-in-law and an devoted supporter of the library.
This part of the original building has tables and chairs for reading and study. Two of the tables have electrical wiring for computers use. The entire area has access to Wi Fi for computers, tablets & smart phones. It also houses the Inspirational Fiction, Foreign Language, Periodicals, a portion of our Books on CD, as well as paperback books in racks.
Computer Center
This area hosts computers available for public use. It also houses the large print collection as well as a portion of our Books on CD collection.
U. T. Buckner Room
U. T. Buckner was a lifelong resident of Ellis County. In his will, Mr. Buckner, a bachelor, left the bulk of his estate to three non-profit organizations offering services to children. One of these organizations was Sims Library. Mr. Buckner’s bequest was very specific in that the funds to Sims Library were to be used for the “educational/entertainment” of children.
In November of 1988, construction began on an addition to the library, with the major portion of Mr. Buckner’s gift being used to build the children’s area of this new addition. The remainder of Mr. Buckner’s gift was invested, and the income from this investment helps defray the costs of children’s services on an annual basis.
The scene from Rudyard Kipling‘s The Jungle Book was painted by the late Mrs. Harriet Grandstaff of Red Oak and donated to the library in 1958.
Computers are available for use to patrons under age 13 with a library card.
Wi Fi service is available in the Buckner Room.
Lyceum and Upstairs Area
The Lyceum, or auditorium, was completed in 1904, along with the main building. The decorations are by W. B. Reymuller, an artist and store painter from Waxahachie. The Lyceum ceiling is pressed tin, painted in white. The Proscenium arch is made of plaster and painted by hand in gold leaf. In the center of the arch are the initials of the building’s architect, S. Weymes Smith. The bronze light fixtures are the originals. Each opera seat has a hat rack underneath. The Lyceum seats 277 and has been used for piano recitals, plays, debates, and other programs.
Everything in the Lyceum is original except the stage floor, the drapes and the window shades. These have had to be replaced over the years. The fabric covering the walls has also been replaced due to fading. The entire Lyceum was repainted in 2000 in the original colors. A gift from Mrs. Herbert (Hetty) Peters enabled the library to add air conditioning and heating to the Lyceum in 1992.
On either side of the marble stairway are two large rooms. One is used for storage while the other is used for occasional programs and Tween activities.
The J. Harry Phillips Wing
The J. Harry Phillips Wing was built for the use of children. The wing opened June 7, 1958, fifty-three years after the library first opened. The Phillips wing was the first addition to the library and was built by funds given by Mr. Phillips. His gift paid for the air conditioning of the new wing and for the first parking lot. His portrait is on the wall beside the doors of the western entrance.
Mr. Phillips, a native of Waxahachie and Italy, Texas, spent most of his adult life in Chicago. He was the inventor of the “Redheaded Concrete Anchor”, used with standard threaded bolts. He was not the inventor of the Phillips-head screwdriver, although he had a hard time convincing people of this fact.
In the late 1940’s, Mr. Phillips returned to Waxahachie and began to dispose of some of his sizable fortune. When he was approached about providing funds for a children’s wing, he asked for proof that children did read. Being a bachelor with no nieces or nephews, he was unfamiliar with children’s reading habits. Mrs. J.R. Hood, then Librarian, provided circulation facts to convince him that children not only read, but read lots of books.
In October of 1988, when construction was begun on a new addition, it was decided to remodel the Phillips Wing. A portion of the wing was dedicated to a meeting room where children and adult programs could be held. Restrooms with facilities for disabled persons were added, as well as display cases to showcase collections on loan from library users.
The remainder of the original Phillips Wing is the new lobby area leading to the U.T. Buckner Room and to the original library building. The original main circulation desk is on display in this area.
Reference and Genealogy
The reference and genealogy area is part of an addition opened in March of 1990. Donations from citizens of Waxahachie and Ellis County and several private foundations provided funds for this construction. No city, state or federal funds were expended on the construction. This new addition allowed access for persons with disabilities through a new elevator.
Besides the standard reference materials, we have several groups of special interest materials. A large genealogy section includes information from every state. The reference area contains Value Line stock reports, vertical history files and the Texas history and culture collection. Only the Texas collection may be checked out for three weeks. We have the complete set of Vernon’s Texas State Statues and Codes. Computers for genealogy research are available for library patrons with current library cards.
Some of the original furniture is located in this department.
Wi Fi service is available in the Reference Department.
The Teen Lair
(Teen/Young Adult Room)
This new area is for our young adult patrons age 13-18. This area contains a computer collaborative center, desktop and laptop computers, Apple I-pads, gaming, and a movie viewing area. Young adult books, periodicals, music CD’s, and Books on CD are located in this room.
Wi Fi service is available in the Lair.
Hours of Operation
Tues: 9:30AM-8:00PM
Wed-Fri: 9:30AM-6:00PM
Saturday 9:30AM-2:30PM
Children’s, Teens, and Reference all close 15 minutes prior
to the rest of the library.
Closed on Sunday and Monday
Library Statistics
January 1, 2016 - December 1, 2016
Books …………..…………………………… 56,235
Uncatalogued Paperbacks ………….………..2,000
DVDs………..………………………………. 4,428
BOCD ……….…………………………..….. 3,762
Electronic Format Materials ………………... 5,174
Music CDs ……………………………..…… 1,377
Total Collection…………….……………… 70,948
Magazine Subscriptions ……………………. 93
Newspapers…………………………………...4
Current Circulations……….……................... 177,602
In-House Use……………..……………..……110,175
