Smyth County Public Library — Marion Main
🏢 Smyth County Public Libraries · Marion, Virginia
Smyth County Public Library — Marion Main
Founded on May 27, 1935 through the efforts of the Marion Library Association and the Book and Study Club of Marion, the Smyth County Public Library Marion Main is the cultural and research anchor of Southwest Virginia — home to the Sherwood Anderson Archive and the Southwest Virginia Heritage Library.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 12pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 118 South Sheffey Street, Marion, VA 24354
Phone: (276) 783-2323
Website: scplva.net
Plus Code: 868WRFJH+HJ (Marion, VA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Smyth County Public Library — Marion Main
The Marion Public Library was established on May 27, 1935, when the Marion Library Association, sponsored by the town's Book and Study Club, organized the first public library in the community. The Smyth County Library Board formed in 1946, and a 1963 merger created the Smyth-Bland Regional Library. The current main library building on South Sheffey Street opened in April 1980 and was expanded beginning in 1988. In 2017, the system reorganized as Smyth County Public Libraries, with branches in Chilhowie (opened 2003) and Saltville (opened 1985). The Marion Main branch is the flagship and archives home, holding the Sherwood Anderson Archive — established in 1985 through the generosity of the Copenhaver family — which documents the life of the author who purchased Ripshin Farm in 1925, married Marion native Eleanor Copenhaver in 1933, and published two local weekly newspapers before his death in 1941. The library is also home to the Southwest Virginia Heritage Library, the Smyth County Digital Collection of digitized local materials, and a Heirloom Seed Exchange. The Makery makerspace serves patrons with hands-on creative technology. Digital access includes Libby for eBooks and hoopla for instant streaming, both free with a library card through the Holston Associated Libraries (HAL) consortium.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded May 27, 1935 by the Marion Library Association and the Book and Study Club of Marion — one of Southwest Virginia's oldest public libraries
- Sherwood Anderson Archive: established 1985, documenting the author who owned Ripshin Farm, married a Marion native and published two local weekly newspapers
- Southwest Virginia Heritage Library with regional historical materials and Smyth County Digital Collection
- The Makery makerspace for hands-on technology and creative projects
- Heirloom Seed Exchange and Wi-Fi hotspot lending program
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Smyth County cardholders access free digital reading, streaming and research through the HAL consortium:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Smyth County residents
- Sherwood Anderson Archive (room open by staff arrangement)
- Southwest Virginia Heritage Library for local history and genealogy
- The Makery makerspace
- Heirloom Seed Exchange
- Wi-Fi hotspot and tablet lending program
- Public computers, printing, copying and faxing
- Meeting rooms
- Interlibrary loan through Holston Associated Libraries (HAL)
🎸 Programs
- Children's and teen programming
- Homeschool Connection programs
- Monday Morning Mingle community events
- Kid Librarian curated displays
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Virginia
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sherwood Anderson, and why is the archive in Marion, Virginia?
Sherwood Anderson was an influential American author best known for Winesburg, Ohio. He purchased Ripshin Farm near Marion in 1925, married Marion native Eleanor Copenhaver in 1933, and became a fixture of the community as owner and publisher of two local weekly newspapers. He was buried at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion in 1941. The Sherwood Anderson Archive was established at the library in 1985 through the generosity of the Copenhaver family and was expanded in 2008 with materials from Virginia Tech scholars. A dedicated room displays photographs and memorabilia of both Sherwood and Eleanor Anderson.
What is the Heirloom Seed Exchange, and how does it work?
The Heirloom Seed Exchange is a community gardening resource at Smyth County Public Libraries. Patrons can borrow seed packets for open-pollinated heirloom vegetable and flower varieties at no charge. After the growing season, participants are encouraged — but not required — to return seeds from their harvest to replenish the collection. Ask staff at the Marion Main branch for current seed availability and guidelines.
What is The Makery, and what can I do there?
The Makery is Smyth County Public Library's makerspace, available to library cardholders for hands-on creative and technology projects. Contact the Marion Main branch at (276) 783-2323 for current equipment, reservation requirements and hours of availability.
Does the library have extended evening hours?
Yes — Marion Main is open until 8 p.m. on Mondays, making it the best option for an early-week evening visit. Tuesday through Thursday hours run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday opens at noon; Saturday runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
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