Like most small towns in Texas, Roxton, population 694 according to the 2000 census, had no library.  The Dr. Lura Gregory Memorial Library was begun three years ago in an empty house which had been left to the town be a deceased resident, Dr. Lura Gregory. Volunteers worked to renovate the house, build row upon row of shelves, refinish floors, paint the floors, and amass over 10,000 volumes. Then, the library was open.  Prior to the establishment of the library, readers and students had to purchase their own books or drive to Paris to use the library there.  Because Roxton is a small, rural community many students do not have access to a computer.

Barbara Jean Tyson, had retired and returned to her home town.  She has experience in Real Estate, and also as a volunteer for March of Dimes, political campaigns, and libraries.  She began giving generously of her time and expertise through volunteer work at the Gregory Memorial Library.

When Barbara began volunteering her time all volumes were in rough categories and the volunteers were using a primitive color coding system. There was no way of knowing what books were available or where they were located, except by just scanning the shelves. Simply put, the books were in a haphazard order. Because Barbara had volunteered at another library, she was familiar with a modern computer cataloging system, which the Library Committee obtained. Barbara then began cataloging the holdings of over 10,000 volumes and she also trained a number of other volunteers to use the system. Although she has had help from these trainees, she has cataloged at 80% of the holdings herself over many, many hours.

Prior to Barbara’s volunteering, the Gregory Memorial Library had no cataloging system. The library now has a full catalog of its holdings, the volumes are in order, and have the latest check out and return system, the same as any major library. She continues to work tirelessly, as a librarian, interacting with the patrons. In addition, she is the computer expert and keeps five computers tuned and running, and these computers are available for area residents and students to use.   All Library patrons benefit, the town benefits, and Roxton schools and students benefit.  Thanks to Barbara Jean Tyson, the city of Roxton, Texas now has a modern library.