Several young, single Corpus Christi women organize La Retama Study Club, named for the flowering tree. La Retama Club defines an urgent need for a public library and begins raising funds. The club's first project, a book shower held at the Ladies Pavillion, brought 200 books for the library. Club members serve as volunteer librarians.
Revenue goes towards the purchase of books.
Fundraising efforts continue. At a peanut hunt, children pay 10 cents for a glass of lemonade and all the peanuts they can find. 1916 Fire breaks out in the building that houses the library. Fearing books would feed the flames, firefighters throw volumes out windows. La Retama Club members carry some books to safety, hang wet and smoke-damaged books on ropes to dry.