Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library

🏢 Bedford County Public Library System · Shelbyville, Tennessee

Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library

The Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library has been the intellectual heart of Tennessee's Walking Horse Capital since 1948 — born from a railway depot waiting room and now offering a drive-thru service window, bookmobile, and full access to the Tennessee Electronic Library.

📞 931-684-7323🌐 sbcplibrary.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 220 S. Jefferson Street, SHELBYVILLE, TN 37160

Phone: 931-684-7323

Website: sbcplibrary.org

Plus Code: 867MFGJR+GJ (SHELBYVILLE, TN)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Catalog →&📚Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. — eBooks via Libby →&📚Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) →

📖 About Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library

The library traces its origins to an unlikely beginning: in 1948, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary established Bedford County Memorial Library in the unused passenger waiting room of the Shelbyville, Columbia & St. Louis Railway depot. The institution moved and grew over the decades, and today the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library serves all of Bedford County from its building at 220 South Jefferson Street. Shelbyville is world-renowned as the home of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, held each August, and the library reflects the town's blend of deep agricultural roots and tight-knit community life. Practical services include a drive-thru window, a free public computer lab, meeting room rentals, fax and printing, interlibrary loan, and boating license exam proctoring — a nod to the county's many lakes and waterways. The bookmobile extends service to residents throughout rural Bedford County.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Founded in 1948 by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary — started in a railway depot waiting room, making it one of Tennessee's more storied library origins
  • Drive-thru service window — pick up holds or return materials without leaving your car
  • Bookmobile — extends library service throughout rural Bedford County
  • Boating exam proctoring — take your Tennessee boating safety license exam at the library
  • Teen Space Discord server — a modern connection point for Shelbyville's young adults

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Your Bedford County card unlocks the Tennessee Electronic Library — free statewide databases, eBooks, and audiobooks for every resident.

&📚 Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL)Free statewide databases including newspapers, academic journals, encyclopedias, and job resources for all Tennessee residents at tnl.net.
&📚 Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. via Libby — eBooks & audiobooksBorrow digital titles instantly through the Tennessee statewide Overdrive collection at tnreads.lib.overdrive.com.
&🎧 Hoopla — stream movies, music & comicsUnlimited monthly digital checkouts of films, TV, music, audiobooks, comics, and ebooks with no waitlists.
&📋 Librista — library catalog companion appBrowse, renew, and manage your account from your smartphone.

📚 Services

  • Computer lab with free public access
  • Printing, faxing & copying
  • Wi-Fi throughout the building
  • Meeting room rentals (free to community groups)
  • Drive-thru service window
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Bookmobile service
  • Boating license exam proctoring

🎸 Programs

  • Children's Morning Storytime (alternating Wednesdays with Movie & Play)
  • LEGO Club and STEAM Club for children
  • Teen Advisory Board
  • Teen D&D/RPG Club
  • Friends of the Library authors luncheon

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my Tennessee boating license exam at the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library?

Yes — the library serves as an approved proctoring location for the Tennessee Boating Safety License examination. Contact the library at 931-684-7323 to schedule your exam session.

Does the library have a drive-thru window?

Yes — the library operates a drive-thru service window where you can pick up reserved items or return materials without coming inside. This is especially convenient for families and patrons with mobility challenges.

What is the Tennessee Electronic Library and how do I access it?

The Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) is a free statewide service that provides all Tennessee residents — whether or not they have a library card — access to databases covering newspapers, academic journals, encyclopedias, health information, and career resources. Access it at tnl.net or through links on the library's website.

How do I get a free library card in Bedford County?

Any Bedford County resident can obtain a free library card by visiting the library at 220 South Jefferson Street with a photo ID and proof of current address. Cardholders gain borrowing rights for physical materials, digital collections, and access to the Tennessee Electronic Library statewide databases.

🖨 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.

📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.

✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.

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