History of the Gallatin County Public Library

     The Gallatin County Public Library opened in 1978 with less than 8,000 books housed in a remodeled laundromat on West Pearl Street in Warsaw, Kentucky.  Today our library is a beautiful 6,800 square foot building on West Market Street that contains 21,000 books along with scores of videos, CDs audio tapes and several computers with Internet access.

     The library's inception followed years of hard work in the 1970s by original board chairman Charles Warnick with members Mary Evelyn Beverly, William Coates, Doris Combs, Barbara Liggett and Richard Rider.  Each of these individuals along with regional librarian Phil Carrico and former Gallatin County Judge Clarence Davis shared a vision of a free public library in Gallatin County.  It's due to their efforts that today, Gallatin County enjoys one of the most beautiful libraries in the Commonwealth - one that has served as a model to many others in the area.

     Located in its temporary location for six years, construction on the current library on West Market Street was completed in 1984.  Designed by architect Robert Hayes, the plan of the building is loosely modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    As one of the fastest growing counties in Kentucky, Gallatin has become home to many young families.  In 1999, library director Brenda Hawkins, who was with the library from its inception in July 1978 through March 2005, realized an extension was needed to accommodate the growing number of young people using the library.  She presented her idea for a Children's Wing to library board president Rhonda Huddleston and members Debra Brown, Joan Higgins, Janis Hill and Clay Warnick.  The project was immediately approved.  

   With money in hand from generous donations and a state grant, the board rehired original architect Robert Hayes and the extension was completed on April 21, 2000 -- a fitting resource for a new century.

      Today the Children's Wing helps prepare a new generation for a rigorous and exciting future in Gallatin County, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the world at large.

     The Gallatin County Public Library, with current director Shirley French, stands as a permanent tribute to the generosity and forward thinking of the great people of Gallatin County.