NWRL History

On July 1, 1959, the Northwestern Regional Library was officially organized with three charter members: Alleghany County Library in Sparta, Stokes County Library in Danbury, and Surry County Library in Dobson (which also served as Regional Headquarters). Kathleen Gilleland served as the first Regional Director.

Over the next several years, other libraries in the four county area joined the regional system. In 1962 the libraries in Yadkinville, Jonesville, and Mount Airy became members. In 1964 the Elkin Library joined. In 1967 the King Library opened. In 1970 the Walnut Cove Library and the Charles H. Stone Library in Pilot Mountain became members. In 1986 the East Bend Library came on board, followed by the Lowgap Library in 1990 and, to complete our region, the Boonville Library in January 1999.

In 1966 the Northwestern Regional Library contracted to move its headquarters to Elkin where it would share space in a proposed new facility. Construction was completed in 1969, with the formal dedication held on April 20th, 1969.

In 1976, Kathleen Gilleland retired after serving as Regional Director for seventeen years. Charles Pipes succeeded her and headed the system until 1981. Edward Sheary was Regional Director from 1981 until July 1983, and Linda Wright held the position from 1983 through October 1986. Jessica Macphail joined the system from June 1987 through October 1992. Nora Warren became Director from 1993 through July 1997, and Michael Sawyer served as Director from 1998 until 2003. John Hedrick served as Director from February 2004 until September 2016. The current Director of Libraries is Joan Sherif.

Branch Histories

The Boonville Community Public Library came about as a result of a group of interested citizens calling themselves “Friends of the Library.” The first meeting of the “Friends of the Library” was held at the home of Mrs. Ann Lawrence on December 22, 1997. Mr. Grady Hunter gave the first amount of money ($100.00) for the Boonville Community Public Library. This donation was given on December 23, 1997. Mrs. Frieda Speer, elected Treasurer gladly accepted this donation from Mr. Hunter.

The Boonville Community Public Library was housed on the back porch of the Boonville Town Hall and in the 12’ x 12’ bedroom in January 1999. The library operated first on volunteer basis until September 1999. Then it was fully run by two paid staff of only operating 20 hours per week. The Friends of the Library still continue to volunteer their time and effort in assisting were needed.

After writing several grants, fundraising, and the lot being donated by our own Frieda Speer, we moved the library with the help of the Friends of the Library to 121 West Main Street Boonville, NC June, 2003. The new library is a 3000 square feet facility with three paid staff staffing it, was opened to the citizens of Boonville. The Town of Boonville borrowed $75,000 through a USDA loan to supplement the $250,000 raised by the Friends of the Boonville Library. In addition to raising funds, fifteen volunteers continue to give their time to the library by working at the library and arranging patron collections to be displayed in the display case. The library now operates thirty-six hours a week with a paid staff. As of 2014, we now operate on a 43.5 hours per week with one full time employee, two part-time employees to assist our Boonville patrons with service. Our collection is approximately 17,000 books, and DVD’S. We now offer other services such as; 8 public computers, copying, faxing, scanning, genealogy, Wi-Fi 24hrs/7 days and other services to accommodate. As of May, 2017 our collection total is 17, 469 Items and we have 1, 451 adults and 853 juvenile patrons registered users.

1945 – Ernest Collins and Laura Ellington requested funds from Stokes County to start a library. They were awarded $45.00. The first Stokes County Public Library was located in an old bank vault, and staffed with volunteers.
1946 – Elizabeth Smith was hired as the first librarian.
1947 – Bookmobile service began using a converted bread truck.
1959 – Northwestern Regional Library System (NWRL) was formed, with Stokes County as a charter member.
1960 – Library moved into a new facility shared with Social Services.
1977 – Elizabeth Smith retired after thirty-one years of service. Geneva Hanes became Branch Librarian.
1984 – The first library board was appointed by the Stokes County Commissioners. The first decision of the board was to change the library’s name to the Danbury Public Library.
1986 – A new, short wheel base Chevrolet van was purchased by NWRL and converted for bookmobile service. Later Stokes County assumed ownership of this van, and the county garage took over maintenance.
1987 – The Danbury Library Board developed a building program and applied for an LSCA Grant, with the county providing matching funds.
1990 – Library opened in a new 6,000 square ft. facility on the first Tuesday in September.
1999 – Geneva Hanes retired. Nora Lankford was chosen as Branch Librarian.
2006 – Stokes County purchased a new Dodge Cargo van to be converted for bookmobile service. This van had a long wheel base, more room inside, and a step to help patrons enter and exit the van.
2015 – Joined NC Cardinal, enabling us to share materials with libraries across the state.

In July of 1984, the East Bend Extension Homemakers and Ruritans met to discuss the possibility of a public library. A committee conducted a survey with the guidance of the Northwestern Regional Library and the Yadkin County Public Library during the fall of 1984. The survey revealed a real need for a library in the community.

The library committee went before the Yadkin County Library Board on May 4, 1985 and was given final approval for a library in East Bend. With this go ahead and funds from the Extension Homemakers and Ruritans, overhaul of the former Joyner’s Grocery Store began on May 15, 1985. One month later, on June 15, 1985, the East Bend Public Library opened in the renovated building.

The library operated for one year with volunteer staffers. In July 1986, East Bend became a member of the Northwestern Regional Library system. Earlene Speas was hired as the first permanent librarian.

With the community outgrowing the current library facility, the East Bend Public Library Building Committee was formed in 2004 in order to raise funds for a new building. With a donated parcel of land, a tremendous amount of community support, numerous fundraisers and grant monies construction began in the fall of 2010 on a new 6,600 square foot facility. On August 1, 2011 the East Bend Public Library opened the doors of its new facility to the public, thus beginning a new chapter in its already rich history.

Library service for the King area began in 1943–44 when the Woman’s Club stocked the club building with books from the North Carolina Library Commission and operated a library one afternoon a week. When this service was discontinued, the community relied on the bookmobile service in the FCX building. On April 2, 1967 the first Lula Pulliam Memorial Library on Dalton Road opened. The library project was sponsored by local clubs, with 2,000 books from the Northwestern Regional Library, local donations, and a few new purchases. In August of 1969, Edith Smith was hired as the first librarian. Library officials voted to name the library the Lula Pulliam Memorial Library in August, 1973. On April 20, 1989, the library opened in what was formerly the Northwestern Bank building. In 1994, Stokes County and the City of King committed to jointly fund a new library. A Library Services and Construction grant was awarded. A beautiful new library opened on March 18,1996 dedicated in honor of Mrs. Marguerite Slate Gentry and in loving memory of Mr. J. Worth Gentry. Gretchen Parker currently resides as branch manager.

A local history collection can be found in our library. This collection includes local genealogy collections, back issues of the King Times and Stokes News, as well as yearbooks, scrapbooks, an other memorabilia.

In September 1946, the Yadkin County Public Library opened in the old Yadkinville Academy Building. The growing library soon needed additional space, and in 1953, moved to a new building owned by Mrs. A.H. Logan. The Town of Yadkinville began to make annual contributions to the library after this move. In May 1958, the library moved to available space in the new county building.

In June 1962, the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners and the Library Board of Trustees approved participation in the Northwestern Regional Library and on July 1, 1962, the Yadkin County Public Library became a member of the regional system.

After four years of planning and fund raising ground breaking cermonies were held on January 21, 1971. Construction began immediately, and on November 30,1971, the new library opened to the public. The Friends of the Library have updated the interior of the library with new carpet, paint and lighting. The front landscape of the library was greatly improved through a very generous grant from the Foothills Duke Energy Retirees and a library friend.

Surry Digital Heritage

Saving Our Communities: Surry County History

Surry County Digital Heritage is a collaborative project started in 2018 with funding by a Library Services and Technology Grant from the State Library of North Carolina. The purpose is to preserve and share records related to the history of communities in Surry County, NC.

VISIT

Northwestern Regional Library

111 N. Front St, Elkin, NC 28621

(336) 835-4894