The Nellie Pederson Civic Library was founded by the Clifton Civic Improvement Society in 1952 and was named, The Clifton Centennial Library. The ladies of the Civic Society soon renamed their project for Nellie Partlow Pederson, long-time treasurer of the organization and much loved member of the community. The library was first housed in the basement of the old Clifton City Hall, later in a small room in the current Clifton Civic Center.

In 1999 the Clifton Civic Improvement Society began plans to build a new library building, with a grant from the Clifton Economic Development Corporation for $42,000 and the donation of a lot owned by the city across the rear parking lot from the Civic Center. Money was raised in the community to erect a steel building faced with stone. Financial grants were sought and received to furnish the building and later to supply the facility with computers and networking equipment.

The new building opened in July of 2000 and has since come to house over 9000 books and books on tape. We are affiliated with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and The Central Texas Library System as well as the Inter Library Loan System. We have free Internet access provided through Hometown Computing Company of Hamilton, TX and access to state databases and services.