Southside Public Library
🏢 City of Southside · Southside, Alabama
Southside Public Library
Southside Public Library grew from a single room in a community center in 2008 to a dedicated home in the former Southside High School Lunchroom on Highway 77, now holding over 13,000 items for Etowah County families.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–12pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2138 HIGHWAY 77, SOUTHSIDE, AL 35907
Phone: +1256-442-6217
Website: cityofsouthside.com
Plus Code: 865MWXCH+W2 (SOUTHSIDE, 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 Southside Public Library
Southside Public Library opened in 2008 within the Southside Community Center on Highway 77, serving the fast-growing City of Southside in Etowah County. Demand outpaced the original space so quickly that the collection spilled into an adjacent room; by 2013 the library relocated entirely to the former Southside High School Lunchroom at 2138 Highway 77, where it operates today. Director Sheila Watwood and assistant Lynne Walker oversee more than 13,000 items — books for all ages, large-print editions, a Christian fiction section, audiobooks on CD, DVD movies, and a growing genealogical reference collection. An automated circulation system was added in 2010; eBooks arrived in 2012 via the Camellia OverDrive consortium; and wireless internet came to the building in 2013. The library's mission is to serve all Southside citizens and Etowah County residents by fulfilling their "informational, educational, and recreational reading needs," and all services are free for qualifying residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened 2008 — grew from a community center room to 13,000+ item collection by 2015
- Relocated 2013 to the former Southside High School Lunchroom at 2138 Highway 77
- eBooks & audiobooks via Camellia OverDrive consortium since 2012
- Capstone Interactive Library for children — digital non-fiction titles since 2013
- Genealogy reference section — family histories, local records, and photo archives
- Twice-monthly preschool story time and seasonal summer reading programs
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Southside library card unlocks these digital collections 24/7:
📚 Services
- Book lending — fiction, non-fiction, large print, Christian fiction, and children's collections
- DVD movies and audiobooks on CD
- eBooks and audiobooks via Camellia OverDrive
- Capstone Interactive Library for children
- Three public computers with wireless internet access
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Genealogy reference collection — local family histories, records, and photographs
- Online catalog via southsidepubliclibrary.booksys.net
- Book, DVD, and audiobook donations accepted
🎸 Programs
- Twice-monthly story time for preschool children
- Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults
- Basic genealogy classes
- Crafting workshops
- Volunteer opportunities — call (256) 442-6217 to inquire
📍 Nearby Libraries in Etowah & Calhoun Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did Southside Public Library grow from its original location?
The library opened in 2008 in a single room inside the Southside Community Center on Highway 77. Rapid growth led to expansion into an adjacent room, and by 2013 the entire library moved to the former Southside High School Lunchroom at 2138 Highway 77, where it operates today with over 13,000 items.
What are Southside Public Library's current hours?
The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon). It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Does Southside Public Library have genealogy materials?
Yes — the library maintains a growing genealogy reference section with local family histories, records, and photographs of old Southside. The library also periodically offers basic genealogy classes. Donations of Southside family genealogies and historical photos are welcome.
Who can get a free library card at Southside Public Library?
Library services are free for all residents of the City of Southside and all of Etowah County. Bring a valid ID and proof of address. Questions? Call the library at (256) 442-6217 or email splnews4u@gmail.com.
📜 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 runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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