Ozark Dale County Library
🏢 Dale County · Ozark, Alabama
Ozark Dale County Library
The Ozark Dale County Library anchors the Wiregrass community from its modern facility at 296 North Union Avenue — home to one of the region's most extensive genealogy collections and a rich archive of the Southern Star newspaper back to 1867.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 296 NORTH UNION AVENUE, OZARK, AL 36360
Phone: +1 334-774-5480
Website: ozarklibrary.com
Plus Code: 863PF928+RJ (OZARK, AL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ozark Dale County Library
Ozark Dale County Library, Inc. serves Dale County and the surrounding Wiregrass region with a mission to provide free access to a broad variety of information, ideas, and educational resources for all. The library's original building on James Street dated to the 1950s; after decades of service it developed leaks, foundation issues, and black mold, prompting a community-led campaign to fund a new facility. The new purpose-built home at 296 North Union Avenue — near downtown Ozark and Carroll High School — opened its doors on October 25, 2022, doubling patron space and adding 30,000 titles to a brand-new computer center. Library Director Karen Speck leads a team of more than twelve staff members, including dedicated specialists for children's services, adult programming, genealogy, and circulation. The library's Podcast Beyond the Books further extends its community voice beyond the building.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1LT Peyton Van Dorn Deese Genealogy Room — comprehensive Wiregrass family research resource
- Southern Star newspaper archive: digitized and bound volumes from 1867 to the present
- Free Ancestry.com and Fold3 access (500M+ military records) with library card
- Children's Library with Spring Break and Summer Reading programs
- Teens' Library plus adult programming including the Beyond the Books podcast
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Dale County library card opens these digital collections:
📚 Services
- Public computers and Wi-Fi
- Printing and copying
- Genealogy research room (sign-in required)
- In-library Ancestry.com access
- Fold3 military records access
- Job resources collection
- Meeting rooms
🎸 Programs
- Spring Break Programs (children)
- Summer Reading Program (children and teens)
- Adult programming series
- Beyond the Books podcast
- Friends of the Library events and volunteering
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Wiregrass Region
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Genealogy Room and what records can I find there?
The 1LT Peyton Van Dorn Deese Genealogy Room holds family files, topical files, marriage records, cemetery records, land purchases, school census records, yearbooks, and Civil War and WWI/WWII materials. It also features digitized and bound issues of the Southern Star from 1867 to the present and free access to Ancestry.com and Fold3. Researchers sign in on entry and can request email assistance at genealogy@ozarklibrary.com.
When did the library move to its current building?
The library opened its new facility at 296 North Union Avenue on October 25, 2022, relocating from the original 1950s building on James Street. The new space is more centrally located near downtown Ozark and Carroll High School, with a full computer center and 30,000 titles on the floor.
Does the library offer extended evening hours?
Yes — on Tuesdays and Thursdays the library stays open until 7:00 PM to accommodate patrons who work during the day. Wednesday hours close at 5:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday are 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
What digital military records are available here?
Cardholders have free in-library access to Fold3 Library Edition, a database containing more than 500 million searchable records spanning the Revolutionary War through recent conflicts. Staff in the genealogy room can help orient first-time users.
📜 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 offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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