History of the Bartow County Library
In 1896 the Cherokee Women's Club started a library organization. In 1903 they built a new building downtown on Public Square, where the courthouse stands today, and after the unexpected death of Library Chairman, Mary Munford, the building was named the "Mary Munford Memorial Library of the Cherokee Club". The Library was made public in 1932. In the early 1960's the club turned the library over to a newly established board. In 1963 the Library moved to the Peeple's Homestead and the City took over the Mary Munford Building which had fallen into disrepair. The Library then joined the Tri-County Library System which included Bartow, Floyd, and Polk counties. After much growth, the library moved to the West Main Street location in 1980 and then the next year became independent of the Tri County system.
Emmie Nelson Library - Euharlee
Dedicated November 14, 1987
Opened February 15, 1988
The Euharlee City Council and citizens of the community had long hoped and planned for a library to be built. In March of 1986, the site had been selected, bought and donated by the City of Euharlee.
The people of Euharlee volunteered to donate their time and efforts. The Euharlee Homemakers and the Narcissus Club agreed to help raise funds to purchase books and to seek donations of books. These pledges were made before construction began. Among those involved in the establishing of a public library in Euharlee, was Miss Emmie Nelson. She led the fight to establish much needed services in the town and to preserve the historical heritage of the area. Her official titles and responsibilities as city clerk and town councilwoman were overshadowed only by her role as Euharlee enthusiast.
While ardently striving to preserve the heritage of her beloved town, Miss Emmie Nelson was hard at work laying the foundation for public library service to Euharlee. She served for six years as a member of the Bartow County Library Board of Trustees, two of those years as Board Chairman. It was during this period of time that a State grant was obtained to build the library in Euharlee.
In Secret, City and County officials made the decision to name the new library in her honor. On Saturday, November 1, 1987, the new $100,000 structure was dedicated and called the Emmie Nelson Public Library. Miss Nelson, proud of her ability to keep abreast of gossip, admitted she was surprised by the honor. "She was probably to busy on all of her town projects to realize that the sum of her work had to be recognized," explained Euharlee Mayor Howard Osborne.
The Bartow County Library Board of Trustees planned the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Euharlee Library on December 8, 1986. This library would be a branch of the Bartow County Library System located in Euharlee off Covered Bridge Road. It would serve the southwestern section of the county including Stilesboro, Taylorsville, and Kingston.
In accordance with the desire of the general public, Commissioner Frank Moore on December 1986, read a proclamation officially naming the library "The Emmie Nelson Library" in honor of Emmie Nelson who at that time was serving on the Bartow County Library Board of Trustees and the Euharlee City Council.
In 1987, construction was nearing completion. Lee Howington, Director of the Bartow County Library System, reported over 1500 books had already been processed to be placed in the library before opening. The Bartow County Library Board of Trustees and the Euharlee City Council invited the public to the formal Dedication and Open House on November 14, 1987. On February 15, 1988, the Emmie Nelson Library was opened to the general public. The Emmie Nelson Library underscores the achievement of a community working together to obtain a facility that would improve the cultural life of its people.
Adapted from articles by Mary Ellen Taff and Lee Howington
Late October 2007 started a new chapter in the story of the Emmie Nelson Library with the groundbreaking for a new facility. The building which will be 5 times the size of the current facility is expected to open in early 2009.
Adairsville Library History
The Sans Souci Club was organized in 1914 with about 20 members. In 1916 the Club House was built on an abandoned lot on Railroad Street. After completion of the Club House, the Club under the direction of its first president and founder, Mr. R. L. Franklin found itself filling an important need of Adairsville, a lending library. Books were donated by Club members and "The Lend-a-Hand Mission of Bartow" furnished many books for the lending library. The first books purchased were bought with money made from the sale of chicken and eggs. The library served patrons from miles around many of whom thought nothing of walking seven miles to borrow books. A Mrs. Scott was the first librarian. She was paid by the local merchants with the members collecting $0.25 from them to pay the librarian and the upkeep of the lending library. Early ladies serving as librarians were Mrs. Scott, Mrs. W. P. Martin, Mrs. Bill Newton, Mrs. Mattie Newton, Mrs. Gene McKilney, Mrs. Pamsey Penfiled, Mrs. Lorene Elrod, and Mrs. Hurlene Chesser. (All were members of the Sans Souci Club) The Sans Souci Library received a new home in 1994 and was renamed the Adairsville Public Library.
Adapted from article by San Souci member Carol Adams
Cartersville Library
In July 2004 a new chapter in the life of the Cartersville Library began with the ground breaking for the building expansion. The expansion and remodel project increased the size of the library from 17,333 square feet to 44,455 square feet and allows the library to serve the residents of Bartow County in better and more innovative ways. The Cartersville Library held its grand opening May 8, 2006. The library has a dedicated children's area, teen area, 36 public computers, an Educational Technology Lab, as well as Fiction, Non-fiction, and Audio Visual and Reference Sections.
