History of the NWRL

The Northwestern Regional Library was officially organized July 1, 1959 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.