History of Ashland City Public Library

In 1908 a group of ladies met to organize a Mother’s Club. This group helped farmers and wives in Clay County by keeping their children while they came to do their winter shopping and pay their taxes. The name of this group was the Civic League, then Progressive Club, and later Women’s Study Club.

Mrs. Dora Dean sold the Club a small parcel of land on which to construct a building, which was called the "The Community Hut'. At one time this was the only housing in Clay County for a public library. Funding for the library came from many sources, a book drive brought in more that a hundred books, the City of Ashland gave and many other funds drives. Over the years, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, other clubs, singings, senior citizens and numerous organizations used "the Hut". The Community Hut was opened every weekday and had a member of the club there at all times. Mrs. Harwell was an active member of the Study Club and as a member of the club she served as librarian.

The Hut was sold in the late 70’s and half of the profits were invested in a new library. A group of citizens met on February 1978 with Mr. Frank Phillips, Community Development Director. The group decided to apply for a Federal Grant for library construction.

The grant was awarded and a beautiful 1,332 square foot building was erected. Mr. Frank Phillips, Mayor Edgar Wynn and the City Council members instrumental in this effort. The library was officially named the Ashland Clay County Library in 1978. The Board of Trustees were: Mrs. Lila Jordan, Mrs. Verdie Pace, Mrs. Agnes Catchings, DeForest Nolen and Mrs. Alma Browning. Dedication ceremonies were held August 12, 1979.

^{February 20th 1989, the City of Ashland made a resolution to change the name of the library to be known as the Ashland City Library as the Clay County Commission was no longer supporting the library. On February 15,1989 the Library Board of Trustees approved Mrs. Fredonia Smith as a member from the City Council to the Board. Mrs. Smith replaced Mrs. Verdie Pace.}

In 1982 Mrs. Mary Hamil was hired as librarian. She served in this position until 1995.  Sherry Rivers was librarian from spring of 1996 to summer of 1997. Tina Nolen is our present librarian; she came in June of 1997.

Today our Board of Trustees consists of: Mrs. Fredonia Smith, Mrs. Alma Browning, Mrs. Gail Thompson, Mrs. Glenda Sue Riley, Mr. Mike Beale and Mrs. Cheryl Coleman. Mrs. Nolen also serves on our board. In 1999 and 2000 the library was awarded with a One Star Recognition of Achievement of Library Standards by the Alabama Library Association. We are still funded with local, state and other funds. We feel honored to have received the Viburnum, Library of Congress Family Literacy Grant for the past four years. These opportunities have been instrumental in our ability to reach out to our community.

The library is currently at the last stages of a building project. We received the 1st State of Alabama Library Construction Grant in 2001 of $46,000 for the 1,140 square foot addition. The City of Ashland has doubled this amount with their match. We hope to have our new addition completed in late January. The space was needed to provide room for programs, a computer lab, office space and kitchen/conference room. We are still promoting the same community spirit as the old "Community Hut" with our literacy programs for children, youth and adults and that, "You’re welcome here, How can we help you?" attitude.