Founded in 1939, the Putnam County Library System consists of the Main Library in Cookeville, with branches in Baxter, Algood and Monterey, TN.

The primary role of the Putnam County Library System is to serve as a popular materials center. The library seeks to build a collection of popular items in a variety of formats, with adequate duplication of high-demand titles.

The library system's mission is to provide free services to all residents. Library materials reflect a broad diversity of format and opinion, assuring that individuals may select freely from a wide variety of items. Patron requests and records are kept confidential under state law.