The first library service in Monroe County was a small bookmobile driven by Orby Lyons. As interest grew a small collection of books was placed in one room of the Education Building with ladies of the civic groups of the county taking turns staying to check books out. The books and money for the operation were donated by interested citizens of Monroe County and the Department of Libraries.

Finally a room was provided upstairs over Peoples Bank and Mrs. Alicia Bowman was hired as the first librarian. She was hired to operate a bookmobile part-time and serve in the library part-time. In November 1963, a small property tax that would be secured the presence of the library was proposed, but due to confusion over the amount of tax, it was voted down. Monroe County lost the library that had existed for five years. The people of Monroe County were to be without a library for the next two years.

Early in 1965 a group of concerned citizens realized something had to be done. Civic groups of the county, including the local Jaycees, began to circulate a library tax petition.. According to law, the petition had to have the 51% of the number of voters of the last general election. This was done and the library tax petition was approved and recorded May 29, 1965.

A new library building was made possible when Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Harlan contributed $25,000 and the property on which the building was placed. This was done in honor of their son, the late William B. Harlan.

To this fund the state and federal government contributed $94,881 and local funds in the amount of approximately $20,000 came from the tax fund. The building cost approximately $115,000 and more than $16,000 was spent for furniture and equipment.

Dedication of the new William B. Harlan Memorial Library was held on October 16, 1966. The members of the Library Board at that time were Harold S. Ray, Chairman, Clarence R. Martin, Secretary, Jack F. Brown, Treasurer, James A. Graves, Randell M. Grider, and the alternates were Bobby E. Garmon, Samuel H. Hagan, Bill McClendon, Carol C. Moore and Tandy Pedigo. Clay Hundley, Jr. was the legal advisor.