Though she began work in 1908, Gunter became the first head librarian of the Gainesville Carnegie Public Library upon its completion in 1914. Shortly after its opening Gunter realized she was meeting the needs of the town, however, she was missing the rural population nearby. There was no plan at the time to reach the rural population and shortly after Gunter began working on a way to meet the needs of those in the outlying area. In an article authored by Laureen Jacobs of the Arlington Public Library in Texas, she writes, "Lillian Gunter referred to herself in her work diary as 'A progressive librarian in rural Texas'". Jacobs goes on to write, "she [Gunter] felt she needed more education, so she traveled, at her own expense, to the New York State Library School in Albany for a 6 week summer library training course. She also saved a place in the basement of the library for the African-American community of Gainesville. That must have been a very bold move, in her day. Gunter’s initial salary was $50 per month'".Jacobs learned the above from a diary that Gunter wrote from 1921–1924. While handling librarian duties, Gunter along with county representative George W. Dayton worked on the Texas County Library Law which passed on March 5, 1917 and was signed by Governor of Texas James E. Ferguson. It was Lillian's goal to serve the whole county and not just the immediate area. To meet her goal she planned the creation of a county library. Though the first county library law would later be repealed, Lillian pushed for a second library law after getting advice from the California State Library during the administration of Milton J. Ferguson. The new law – the 1919 Texas County Library Law – passed and signed by Governor of Texas William P. Hobby. The petition for a county library contained that of 1,361 signatures from individuals supporting its creation, which led to a vote for a bond of $125,000 for the new library. Gainesville Carnegie Public Library/The Cooke County Free Library was the second county library, the first being Dallam County Library, under the new Texas County Library Law and would grow to consist of 82 branches and a bookmobile that was in service. In 1913, a lot was designated for what would be called the Gainesville Carnegie Public Library. By October 10, 1914 the Gainesville Public Library began operations with a collection of 3,500 items. As promised the city council "very wisely have decided to charge only such a fee for its use as will cover janitor service, lights, and fuel making it free in a great many instances".