WEAKLEY COUNTY, TENNESSEE
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The Ned R. McWherter
Weakley county Library & Museum History

The history of the library

In front of a brilliant blue sky and atop the lush green grass of spring stands the Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library.
History of Ned Ray McWherter Weakley County Library, 1946-2002:

The Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library opened in a rented room in the basement of Bowers Hotel on the main square in Dresden on April 9, 1946. Quarters were shared with the Red Cross. When the new courthouse was completed in 1950 both the library and the Red Cross were moved to a third floor room. Financial support was low-for many years $1,462 annually - and the location inaccessible. Circulation stayed around 3,000-4,000 annually for a number of years.

In June 1963, the Library was moved to a rented business building on the ground level. A larger county appropriation and the first city appropriation made this possible. In the new location circulation increased by 2,000 during the first year. The new quarters were attractive but small, and were outgrown almost immediately. 

Weakley County was voted a two-year demonstration project by the Regional Board beginning July 1, 1964, which resulted in fast expansion and growth for all libraries of the county. Regional funds were used to pay librarians and buy books, and county funds were released to buy furniture and equipment and more books. The county board searched for a larger building, and finally a new building was constructed by a local citizen especially for renting to the Library. Library hours were increased from twenty per week to thirty-eight, including one evening, after the Library opened in the new building in February 1965. 

The Library expanded to include a small concrete block building located behind the Library in 1993. This building was the Story Book House and was used for story times and summer reading programs. 

Former Tennessee Governor Ned R. McWherter originated the idea for a new library facility to be located next door to his home on Linden Street in 1997. He provided funding for the purchase of the land and construction of the building. County commissioners helped obtain grants to help pay for the furnishings needed in the modern library. The Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library was opened on December 1, 1997. On November 19, 1999 the Ned R. McWherter room was dedicated and the library held its Grand Opening. 

Some early librarians were Mrs. Lillian Ross, Mrs. Beulah Hamlin, Mrs. Hobson Mayo, Mrs. Rupelle Speight and Mrs. Louise Oliver.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LINKS

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Library Homepage
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Library Services
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McWherter Museum
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Library History
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Our Library Links
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Online Catalog

our staff is proud to welcome you

Ask any of our knowledgeable staff to assist you in your search for good reads:

Amanda Jane (AJ) Bacigalupo, Library Director
Karen Gertsch, Assistant Librarian
Sara Rachels, Children's Librarian
Savana McKinney, Library Helper
Trudy Johns, Library Helper
Chris Gertsch, Library Helper

CONTACT US

Ned R. McWherter ​Weakley County Library
Director,
Amanda Jane (AJ) Bacigalupo
341 Linden Street
Dresden, TN 38225 
731-364-2678 (p) and 731-364-2599 (fax)
[email protected]
M-F: 9AM - 5PM   •   SAT: 9AM - 2PM

​
Phone: ​731-364-5414
Email: [email protected]
Weakley County Courthouse
116 W Main Street 
Dresden, TN 38225
Copyright 1823  -  weakleycountytn.gov
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  • Home
  • About
    • Live Weakley
  • Directory
    • Ag Extension >
      • Ag FAQs
      • UTM ​Ag Dept.​
      • Weakley UT Extension
      • TN Ag. Dept.
    • Circuit Court >
      • Circuit Court Fees
      • General Sessions Judge
      • Traffic Court
      • Juvenile Services
      • Circuit Court Judge
      • Jury Duty
      • Drug Court >
        • Drug Court Team
    • Clerk & Master >
      • Duties
      • Will Info
      • Probate Info
      • Chancellor
    • County Clerk >
      • Documents and Forms
      • Community Involvement
      • Donate a Life
      • License Plate Renewal
      • County Clerk Staff
    • Dept. of Finance >
      • Bids-Purchasing
      • The Budget
      • County Employees
      • Policies
      • Payroll
    • Election Commission
    • Emergency MGMT >
      • History
      • Links
      • ADA Transition Plan
      • Maps
      • Title VI
    • Health Department
    • Highway Department >
      • Road Supervisor
      • FAQs and Quick Facts
      • Solid Waste
    • Juvenile Services
    • Library >
      • History
      • Links
      • Ned Ray McWherter Museum
      • Services
    • Mayor >
      • Responsibilities
      • Your Mayor In Action
      • Our Team
    • Office on Aging >
      • Senior Centers
    • Property Assessor >
      • Assessor Links
      • Assessor Duties
      • Assessment Schedules
      • Assessor Tax Rate
      • Assessor Board of Equalization
    • Public Records Commission
    • Register of Deeds >
      • FAQs
      • Fees
      • Staff & Services
      • History
      • Property Fraud Alert System
    • Sheriff's Dept. >
      • Inmate Labor
      • Detention Center
    • Trustee >
      • Building Permits
      • Community Outreach
      • Delinquent Taxes
      • Duties
      • FAQs
      • Mobile Homes
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Pay Your Property Tax Online
      • Staff
      • Tax Relief
      • Updates and Changes
    • Soil Conservation District
    • Solid Waste >
      • Services
    • Veteran's Affairs >
      • Veteran's Affairs FAQs
      • VA Homepage
      • VA Benefits Guide
      • Burial & Memorial Benefits
  • Commission
    • Commission Information
    • Agendas, Minutes, Resolutions >
      • 2020-Current Fiscal Year
      • 2010-2020 Fiscal Years
      • 1990-2000 Fiscal Years
      • 1980-1990 Fiscal Years
      • 1970-1980 FIscal Years
    • Meet the Commission >
      • DIST 1 - Bobby Dunlap
      • DIST 1 - Dennis Doster
      • DIST 2 -Marcus Hopper
      • DIST 2 - Wade Cook
      • DIST 3 - Greg Usery
      • DIST 3 - James Roy Pope
      • DIST 4 - John Robert Freeman
      • DIST 4 - Gary Eddings
      • DIST 5 - Larry Taylor
      • DIST 5 - Larry Kelly
      • DIST 6 - David Bell
      • DIST 6 - Joey Mehlhorn
      • DIST 7 - David Hawks
      • DIST 7 - Billy Hazlewood
      • DIST 8 - Jack Vincent
      • DIST 8 - Roger Donaldson
      • DIST 9 - James Washburn
      • DIST 9 - James Westbrook, Jr.
    • Standing Committees >
      • Audit Committee
      • Fiber Research Committee
      • Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
      • Financial Management Committee
      • Health, Education, and Economic Development Committee
      • Public Safety Committee
      • Public Works Committee
      • Rules Committee
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Executive Orders
    • Calendars
    • Maintenance Request
    • Employee Portal
    • News
    • Support Local Business
    • Uniquely Weakley
    • Newsletter
    • Census 2020