The first library started in 1935 under sponsorship of the American Legion Auxiliary in Pocahontas with books being donated by local citizens. HB 451 sponsored by Dr. H.H. Price of Randolph County provided for the establishment of more libraries and the enlargement of those already functioning. The 1937 Legislature appropriated the necessary funds for aid to county libraries. Randolph County was the first county library in the state set up under the new County Library Act qualifying the library to receive state aid.

   Quorum Court appropriations with state aid were the only sources of income for all library expenses until November 1948 when the county voted a one mill tax for the support of the library. This was made possible by the adoption of Amendment 38 at the general election authorizing the the counties to make this levy. The library is at this time operating on the one mill tax.

   In 1965 Randolph County joined in a regional system with Greene and Clay Counties which is known as the Northeast Arkansas Regional Library. This alliance provides our county with the service of interlibrary loan which makes allows the five libraries to share materials. This gives the patron the advantage of having access to the latest books and other materials available. A courier system is currently used and runs every Wednesday distributing borrowed materials among the libraries.

   The library has had many "homes". The first one was located in two rooms upstairs in the Spinnenweber building on Pyburn Street in 1935. In March 1938 it was moved to the City Hall then located in the Marion Brown building on Everett Street. In May 1940 the library was then moved into the new cobblestone City Hall building on Broadway. In April 1945 quarters were moved into the Old Courthouse building where it remained until April 1964  at which time it was moved into the L.R. Martin building at 101 East Everett Street. Due to the lack of space and the growth of the library it was moved in February 1970 back to the Old Courthouse where it occupied all the east side of the building on the first floor, the north end of the hallway which has been partitioned off into a check-out area; and the northwest room which contains the reading room and reference area. The library is now located at 111 West Everett Street.

   The library reaches all parts of the county. On request schools and other organizations may borrow books and other materials on long-term loans. In addition to books, the library circulates magazines, videos, and audio books. Magazines are kept on file for a period of three years for research. The library has a total of 31,000 books and subscribes to 31 magazines; three news and Sunday papers...the weekly Star Herald, daily Arkansas Gazette, and Jonesboro Sun. Also, the library currently subscribes to The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Investors Daily. The library serves as a center of culture in our community. The library provides year round program of activities to afford all people a method of expressing their talents and appreciation of the fine arts. Your library will always be happy to assist you with your needs.