Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Rainsville Public Library

941 East Main Street
256-638-3311

History:

On March 24, 1966, the Rainsville Culture Club explored the possiblility of establishing a Public Library. Those participating in the meeting were Becky Hambrick(President), Ann Everett, Maxine Barron and Leedale Grimes.

However, it wasn't until February 1968, almost 2 yrs later, that Rainsville started a fund-raising drive. Mrs. Barron then opened the library in an office just off the police chief's office(now known as the Rainsville Court Room).

A library board was established with the following members: Maxine Barron (chairman) Mrs. Eddle Hamrick, George Gibson, Mayor E.E. Browning, Doyle Kirk, John Baker and E.R. Knox.One year later, the library moved into the building located behind the Rainsville Police Department(now known as the City Annex). Dedication and open house for the new facility was on April 5, 1970.

The library continued to grow and expand and on November 7, 1974, the Mayor and City Council purchased the old Farm Bureau Building.It would be 15 years later before any further action would be taken, but in April 1989, the library board and staff began pursuing avenues to build a new facility.

In April 1991, the Alabama Public Library Service granted Rainsville a federal grant in order to build a new library from the ground up .In May 1992, the new facility was completed on a 1.8 acre site on Highway 35 east.