Beyond the books: Lirl Treuter, librarian of many talents

April 20-24 is National Library Week, and while librarians are interesting people, the Fort Worth Public Library’s Lirl Treuter was what some might call a true Renaissance librarian.

Lirl was born in New Orleans on Oct. 4, 1922. Her family first came to Fort Worth in 1930 but then moved to Abilene and Houston for several years. By 1940, the Treuter family was back in Fort Worth, and Lirl was a contestant in the Miss Typical Texas contest. She worked as a stenographer for the Stafford-Lowden Printing Co. and in 1941 for the Austin Co. — which was building the bomber assembly plant — likely in stenography or typing.

Lirl attended Texas Wesleyan College (now University) from 1943-1948. While at Texas Wesleyan, Lirl studied art under Fort Worth Circle artist Kelly Fearing, who later described her as one of his “most promising students.” Her artwork is highly sought after by collectors of Fort Worth art today.

Lirl paused her studies at Texas Wesleyan for 15 months to serve in the Women’s Army Corps as a corporal in New Guinea, Manila and Peleliu from 1943-1944. She was secretary to the adjutant general at headquarters of Gen. Kenney’s Far East Air Forces.

Upon returning to Texas Wesleyan, Lirl showed her award-winning artwork in Fort Worth Art Association exhibits, including at the Fort Worth Public Library. In 1948, she began winning awards in the college’s annual poetry contest. Shortly before graduating from Texas Wesleyan in 1948, Lirl began work as an art instructor at Our Lady of Victory private school, and in the fall began private art instruction for adults and children.

The next summer, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram announced that, “Lirl Treuter, one of our town's most photogenic artists, is now on the Public Library staff in the young adult department.” Less than six months later, Lirl was assisting the Art Division director.

By 1958, Lirl had been promoted to head the division, which by then included music in its scope. In this role, she arranged art exhibits, managed the framed art loan program, oversaw the acquisition of a player piano and its rolls and developed the Library’s collection of record albums. During the 1970s, the Art Division was renamed to the Arts and Recreation Division, with Lirl still at the helm.

Lirl died in 2001.

Thank you to guest columnist Linda Barrett, Fort Worth History Center manager/city archivist with the Fort Worth Public Library, for contributing this article.

Photo: WAC Cpl. Lil Treuter with Sayrah, who she picked up as a stray kitten in New Guinea. Lil had just returned from 14 months duty with the Far East Air Force, and so did Sayrah. The cat accompanied Lil everywhere she went, including Diak, Pelileu, Leyte and Manila. Nov. 28, 1945. Photo courtesy of University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Special Collections.

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