Northwestern Regional Library System

History

The Library first opened on November 3, 1970, in a rented storefront on Main Street. Earlier that year representatives from the Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, and Extension Homemakers Clubs had met for the purpose of planning a library for Walnut Cove. They founded the Walnut Cove Library Association and secured operating funds from the Northwestern Regional Library, Stokes County, and the town of Walnut Cove. The Walnut Cove Public Library became a wonderful reality, and Mrs. Margaret Alley was hired as the first librarian.

The Library was immediately popular with the people of Walnut Cove, and the size of its collections and number of patrons grew rapidly. Mrs. Frances Leonard became the librarian in 1973, and within a few years the Library had outgrown its limited space. Planning for a new library building on property near the center of Walnut Cove began in 1975 and continued for several years. In 1978 construction of the new 4,492 square foot Library building was begun, and in June of 1979 the Library moved into its current facilities, adjoining Fowler Park. Mrs. Frances Leonard retired in 1983, and the current librarian, Mrs. Betty Smith, was hired in January 1984.

The Library has seen continued growth and is again is in need of an even larger facility. In 2000, the Library Board commissioned an architect to draw plans for an expanded and completely reconfigured Library building that would meet current and future needs of its patrons for the next three to four decades. In 2004, a feasibility study was completed and funds are now being raised to build an expansion of 2,364 square feet. In addition to a meeting room, new public restrooms and staff work areas will be added, remodeling will take place over the entire library with our existing meeting room being renovated for a new children's area.