On September 30, 2021 the Library celebrated its 20th anniversary with an elegant luncheon at Collierville First Baptist Church. The celebration honored the many leaders who had the courage, vision and foresight to reach toward the goal of building the Library that serves Collierville today. 

The program centered around telling the Library's story from its humble beginnings. Betty Only, representing the Friends of the Collierville Burch Library, told the story of a young girl visiting the castle-like Cossitt Library in Memphis to the little white stucco building near Town Square and the smell of onions that lingered there from its days as a hamburger joint before becoming the first Collierville Library.

She recalled Mayor Stan Joyner as a high school student carefully keeping the books in order under the direction of James Cowan, her dad and high school teacher, during one of the library building improvements. She recalled a day when a young town administrator, James Lewellen, rode into town on his motorcycle just in time to build a new library in its current place in Halle Park. 

James Lewellen followed with his recollections of David Halle's generous offer of the land north of Poplar Avenue and Mrs. Elsie Burch announcing her desire to give $500,000 for a new library. John Pritchard, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Burch, remembered running dogs with his grandfather in the area where the library now stands. He assured the attendees that his grandparents would be proud of what the Collierville Burch Library is today.

The library staff created a video presentation summarizing the library's story. 

Library Director Lisa Plath honored Mary McLarty for her 8000 hours of volunteer service over the past 20 years. 

Mayor Stan Joyner recognized Betty Only for a lifetime of service to Collierville and the Library. A quote from Helen Keller inscribed on the crystal book she received says it well, "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."

Library staff compiled and published a History of the Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library. The books were sold at the luncheon and custom book-shaped cookies were given away to all attendees. 

Many thanks and congratulations to the Library staff who worked faithfully to plan this beautiful, nostalgic celebration.

20th Anniversary Committee: Meredeth Campbell, LuAnn Noelke, Gail Tucci, and Lisa Plath

Audiovisual Committee: Emily Baker, Julia Trumpy, and Julianne Ziegenhorn. 

Library history books can be purchased at the Friends Again Bookstore.