Rutherford County Library System – 70 Years Strong!
When Henry T. Linebaugh made his $5,000 donation toward the creation of a public library in his hometown, he never imagined that within 70 years, that humble beginning would grow to be a five-branch library system serving most of Rutherford County. Linebaugh Public Library formally opened on April 1, 1948, with 6,000 volumes in the collection. By the end of that year, over 40,000 items had been checked out to over 1,200 card holders.
By the end of 2017, the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) housed over 249,000 items, circulated almost 1.2 million items within the year to over 83,000 card holders, and broke ground on the Technology Engagement Center (TEC), one of the first standalone, digital public libraries in Tennessee.
As our county experiences exponential growth, the library system continues to be a crucial part of what draws people to this area. RCLS Director Rita Shacklett maintains constant contact with leaders in our cities and county to insure that every resident has access to a local library. Yet, not only does she work toward having physical presence, but a virtual one as well, through the online resources made available at rclstn.org.
Here are just some of the free services and resources you can find in one or all of our RCLS branches:
- Public computers and computer classes
- Free WiFi
- 3D printers
- Driver’s license renewal kiosk
- Notary service
- Copiers, scanners, fax machines
- Genealogical resources
- Digital magazines
- Ebooks, audiobooks, music, streaming
- Story times for children
- Book groups, writers groups, special programming
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Linebaugh Public Library, and thus the Rutherford County Library System, take the time to visit your local branch and discover all the library has to offer. Explore, Imagine, Engage at RCLS.
Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. Smyrna Public Library is located at 400 Enon Springs Rd. West in Smyrna. Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library is located at 317 Hwy 99E in Eagleville. MGL Library is located inside Patterson Park Community Center at 521 Mercury Blvd. in Murfreesboro. Explore, Imagine, Engage through RCLS. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit www.rclstn.org.
