Shelby County Public Library

Shelby County Public Library Inspiring curiosity, lifelong learning & community connections since 1903. The sum of $1,000 was pledged for the library’s yearly support.

Shelbyville was one of 1,419 communities to receive a $10,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build a public library. To be eligible for the grant, communities had to demonstrate need for a public library, provide the land and pledge financial support for services and maintenance. Need was shown through the library first organized by the Woman’s Club which had a few book shelves and 2

00 books in the old fire station at Fountain Square, on the corner of Fifth and Main Streets. An old graveyard was chosen as the library site as the land had reverted back to the city after a church had relocated. There have been four additions to the original building, the most recent renovation and expansion project was completed in 2008. This project added a two-story addition of 5,500 sq.ft. to the west side of the building, which brings the total space of the building to 22,000 sq.ft. This new addition has been utilized for public use. The upper level allowed for the expansion of computers, additional shelving space, for the book and the audio visual collection.Plus separate areas for teens, reference, the genealogy collection and a quiet study room.The addition for the lower level provided a large meeting room for 150 people. The room has been named "The Hudson Room" and is used for adult and youth services programming.

09/02/2026

📚✨ September is National Library Card Month!✨📚

And if you don’t have a library card yet… respectfully, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!😂

Free books? 📖
Movies & music? 🎬🎶
Audiobooks & eBooks? 🎧📱
Programs & events? 🎨
A whole world of resources at your fingertips? 🌎

A library card is basically your VIP pass to free fun! 😍

Get your library card. Check something out. Discover something new.
Because if you don’t have one… you’re missing out! 👀


TODAY!! Make It Yours: DIY Crossbody Crafternoon! Looking for something fun to do TODAY? Stop by the Story Time Room and...
09/02/2026

TODAY!! Make It Yours: DIY Crossbody Crafternoon!

Looking for something fun to do TODAY? Stop by the Story Time Room and design your very own crossbody bag using colorful patches, fabric markers, and other fun decorating supplies!

We’ll provide everything you need—just bring your creativity! When you’re finished, you’ll head home with a one-of-a-kind bag designed by YOU!

✨ Drop in anytime!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages welcome
✅ No registration required

Come hang out with us and create something that’s totally your style!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and we’re celebrating all month long! 🎉Don’t have a library card yet? Come to t...
09/01/2026

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and we’re celebrating all month long! 🎉

Don’t have a library card yet? Come to the library and sign up for one! Your library card opens the door to books, programs, digital resources, and so much more — all for FREE!

Already have a library card? We have plenty of ways for you to join the fun!

Stop by the Children’s Department to see what special goodies they’re giving away!

Strike a pose at our Library Card Photo Op!
Stop by, snap a fun photo, and show off your library love!

Take the Library Card Picture Challenge!
Show us where your library card can go! Take a fun and creative picture featuring your library card in the most unique place or way you can think of. The person with the best and most creative photo will win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Or simply stop by the library, explore our shelves, and take advantage of all the FREE books, resources, programs, and services your library has to offer.

One little card can open a whole world of possibilities!

Come celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month with us — we can’t wait to see you at the library!

Storytime starts back September 1st!We’re so excited to welcome our little readers back for Storytime! Come enjoy storie...
08/31/2026

Storytime starts back September 1st!

We’re so excited to welcome our little readers back for Storytime! Come enjoy stories, make new friends, get creative with a fun craft, play in our kids’ play area, and check out some great books to take home!

Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays at 11:00 AM–11:45 AM

Baby Storytime
Wednesdays 11:00 AM–11:30 AM

Storytime is a wonderful way to spend time together, meet other families, and help your little one discover the joy of books and reading.

We can’t wait to see you there!!

08/25/2026

Some say it’s a myth… 👀📚

But librarians know the truth. 😂

What is the weirdest thing that has ever ended up sitting on your desk? 🤔

From random trinkets and mystery objects to things that somehow became permanent desk decorations… librarians have seen it all! 😂

📚 Librarians: What’s the strangest thing that has ever appeared on your desk?

And please tell us the story! 👀👇

📢Our online services are back up and running! Thank you so much for your patience while we worked to get everything rest...
08/25/2026

📢Our online services are back up and running! Thank you so much for your patience while we worked to get everything restored.

If you’re still experiencing any issues, we’re happy to help! Please give us a call or stop by the library, and a staff member will assist you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

ONLINE SERVICES UPDATE Our online services, Libby and Hoopla, are currently experiencing issues and are unavailable at t...
08/22/2026

ONLINE SERVICES UPDATE

Our online services, Libby and Hoopla, are currently experiencing issues and are unavailable at this time. We’re working to get things back up and running, and we’ll let everyone know as soon as the issues have been resolved.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding!

The library is OPEN until 1:30 PM today!
If you’re looking for something to read, come on in and grab a book (or two… we won’t judge ).

We hope to see you soon!

Important Closure NoticeWe will be CLOSED Friday, August 21st due to essential IT and system updates.During this time, a...
08/18/2026

Important Closure Notice

We will be CLOSED Friday, August 21st due to essential IT and system updates.

During this time, all library databases and online services will be unavailable, including:

-Libby
-Hoopla
-Holds
-Online Book Catalog

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while these important updates are completed.

We will provide an update as soon as all systems and services are back online.

Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Power up for a Reel Fun Family Movie Morning at the library!Grab the family and join us as we journey through the Mushro...
08/18/2026

Power up for a Reel Fun Family Movie Morning at the library!
Grab the family and join us as we journey through the Mushroom Kingdom with some of our favorite video game characters in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie! 🌟🚀🍄

Come ready for big-screen fun, family time, and an out-of-this-world adventure! 🎮✨

🍿 Bring your crew, grab a seat, and let’s-a go!

Join us for a Community Shred-It & Drug Take Back Event in partnership with the Shelbyville Police Department!Safely dis...
08/17/2026

Join us for a Community Shred-It & Drug Take Back Event in partnership with the Shelbyville Police Department!

Safely dispose of your sensitive documents and unused or expired medications all in one convenient stop.

📄 Shred-It Services: Bring old bank statements, medical records, and personal paperwork for secure, on-site shredding.

Important Information:

• You do NOT have to remove staples, paper clips or bindings of any kind
• Any type of documents/papers are fine including colored paper, manilla folders, magazines, newspapers, old bills, etc
• All materials are shredded onsite in our trucks and then recycled locally into brown paper towels, tissue paper, etc
• NO cardboard. It is a different paper fiber.

💊 Drug Take-Back: Properly dispose of unused for safe. expired medications no questions asked.

Let’s work together to keep Shelbyville safe, secure, and clutter-free!
If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Evans at KnightHorst Shredding. 615-319-3998

Address

309 8th Street
Shelbyville, KY
40065

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+15026333803

Website

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