Public Library service in Edmonson County had a modest beginning in the fall of 1954. Through the Friends of Kentucky Libraries and the State Library Extension Division, a bookmobile and 986 books were donated to the county. From this small beginning, library service has grown slowly but steadily until today. It now includes a beautiful, remodeled library building, a growing collection of approximately 30,000 books, audio tapes, and video tapes, and a brand new bookmobile. In addition to these services the library also provides six computers and wireless internet for public use, magazines, subscribes to three newspapers, genealogy materials including microfilm, and free access to HeritageQuest and an online law library.
The "traveling library" was welcomed enthusiastically by schools and rural patrons alike.During that first year, twenty-one schools and half a dozen community stops were visited twice a month. At the school stops, many children picked out books for parents and older brothers
and sisters who were unable to come meet the bookmobile.
During the summer of 1955, a small room at the back of a bank was rented as a central library. This library was open only on Saturdays, and 35 to 50 books per day was a large circulation. But the library did grow, and soon all available wall space was covered with shelves and many more books were stored in boxes.
In December of 1956, the library was legally established and it would seem that its problems should be over. However, the library had been plagued with financial difficulties from the very beginning. Because of friction between the Fiscal Court and the County Board of Education, the Public Library could never be certain of receiving its operation funds. Because of this, it was very difficult to expand the library's services. The Library Board thought it best to use funds to keep the bookmobile on the road, rather than investing in more books and an expanded program which would soon end for lack of funding. This policy made it possible to operate the bookmobile for two years on funds which were donated in only one year. But by September 1, 1958, the library had to close and the bookmobile was no longer running.
Most of the schools at that time did not have their own library books. Since the bookmobile was not running, the students had to do without books.
This caused a clamoring for the Library Project to begin operation again.
As the public began to realize the value the library had been to the community, it got behind a movement to reopen the library. Citizens' groups met with the Fiscal Court and the Board of Education to enlist their support. Schools had various programs to raise money for the Library fund. PTAs, the Lion's Club, Homemaker's Club, and other civic organizations, as well as many individuals, contributed funds, and in February of 1959, the bookmobile was again on the road.
The rented room which served as the central library had its own problems. There was lack of space and its location was out of the way. Efforts were made to obtain better facilities, and in September 1960, through help from the Friends of Kentucky Libraries and Mrs. Mary Belknap Gray of Louisville, Kentucky, a large concrete block garage building was purchased by the City of Brownsville. This was to house the Fire Department, a community room, and the library. The large front showroom space made an excellent library facility.
The library was moved into the new facility in November, even though work on the room was not complete. As the renovation of the facility progressed, an Open House was planned. With the help of the county's Homemaker's Clubs, the Open House was held at the library during National Library Week, April 16-22, 1961. About 1,600 people visited the library during that week.
As people became more conscious of the library, the building began to be used by many groups. The library collection had grown to about 4,500 volumes. The daily circulation of the library was about 145 materials and averaged 250 on the bookmobile. The bookmobile visited each stop twice a month.
Fiancial support remained unsatisfactory. The library could only afford one paid employee to serve as the bookmobile librarian and the central library librarian. There were volunteers who helped to keep the library open.
In spite of the difficulties, the library was still able to grow. After ten years of operation, the collection had increased to 8,026 volumes and the yearly circulation was 9,073 for the central library and 12,429 for the bookmobile.
In 1966-67, a bookmobile driver and a part-time employee were hired. This allowed the librarian more time for expanding the library's services. This was also the last year for the library to be supported locally by a $500 grant from the Fiscal Court and the Board of Education. These grants were received only after much prodding by the Library Board, civic groups, and citizens. At times, civic groups, such as the Lion's Club had to help make up these funds.
In the fall of 1967, with the help of Mr. Roy Mayes of the state Library Extension Department, a movement was begun to get a petition signed that would establish a tax district to support the library. This movement was successful, and in 1968, for the first time in its history, the Edmonson County Public Library had a secure income and could plan a working budget to finance its services to the county.
In Oct. 2008 the Edmonson County Public Library moved to a brand new building located at 280 Ferguson St. Brownsville, Ky.