Lawrence County Library
🏢 Lawrence County Library System · Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Lawrence County Library
A downtown Walnut Ridge institution since 1942, the Lawrence County Library anchors three-branch public library service across northeastern Arkansas — offering free digital resources, weekly Storytime, a homeschoolers program and open stacks for every age, Monday through Saturday.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–6pm |
| Thursday | 8am–6pm |
| Friday | 8am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 115 West Walnut Street, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476
Phone: (870) 886-3222
Website: lawrencecountylibrary.com
Plus Code: 868F329V+MJ (Walnut Ridge, AR)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Lawrence County Library
The Lawrence County Library has served the citizens of Lawrence County, Arkansas since February 1942, when it was founded with community support and the leadership of Mrs. Lawrence Sloan. Voters approved a one-mill property tax in 1948 to sustain it, later raised to two mills in 2001. After occupying five downtown Walnut Ridge locations over the decades, the library moved in August 2008 to its current home at 115 West Walnut Street — the former Hutcherson Furniture building — returning it to the heart of downtown. Governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the County Judge, the system also operates two branches: the Bobbie Jean Memorial Library in Imboden (an original 1942 branch) and the Driftwood Branch in Lynn (opened 1991). Free Arkansas Traveler statewide databases and the Arkansas Digital Library give residents digital access to research, language learning and ebooks — all at no cost.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded February 1942 — over 80 years of continuous service to Lawrence County
- Current building at 115 West Walnut (opened August 2008) is the restored former Hutcherson Furniture store in downtown Walnut Ridge
- Three-location system: headquarters in Walnut Ridge + Bobbie Jean Memorial Library (Imboden, 1942 branch) + Driftwood Branch (Lynn, opened 1991)
- Free hoopla (instant streaming) and OverDrive/Libby (ebooks & audiobooks) with a Lawrence County library card
- Arkansas Traveler Databases (state-funded) free to all AR residents: ProQuest, World Book, ABC-Clio history, Pronunciator (163 languages) & K-12 resources
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Lawrence County cardholders borrow, stream and research free through Arkansas's shared digital collections:
📚 Services
- Free public Wi-Fi and 7 public internet computers
- Photocopying (B&W $0.10/page, color $0.50/page) and faxing (sending $1.00 first page, $0.25 additional; receiving $0.25/page)
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) — $1.00 per book
- Book drop for after-hours returns
- Early Literacy Stations for children ages 2–12
- Genealogy research resources and staff assistance
- Reference databases and homework help for K-12 students
- Used book sales: paperbacks $0.25, hardcovers $1.00, DVDs $1.00, magazines free
- Free library cards for Lawrence County residents with valid photo ID and proof of address
🎸 Programs
- Weekly Storytime — Tuesdays at 10:00 AM for children
- LCL Homeschoolers — monthly group on 2nd or 3rd Monday at 1:00 PM (September–November and January–April)
- Annual Summer Reading Program — six-week initiative with reading activities, crafts and special guests
- Storytime & Craft Days — seasonal craft-focused sessions for children
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Arkansas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Walnut Ridge · Browse all Arkansas libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Lawrence County Library move to its current downtown location, and what was the building before?
The library moved to 115 West Walnut Street in August 2008 — its fifth and current home since opening in 1942. The building previously housed Hutcherson Furniture, and the move returned the library to Walnut Ridge's downtown core after decades at various locations including the Lawrence Hotel (1942–1945), a storefront near the Missouri Pacific Railroad (1945–1955), 215 SW Second Street (1955–1983) and the former Going's Drug Store on West Main (1983–2008).
How has Lawrence County funded its public library since 1948?
Lawrence County residents voted in November 1948 to support the library with a one-mill property tax, making it eligible for state grant funding. In 2001 voters increased that support to two mills. Today the library is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the County Judge and funded through local millage combined with Arkansas State Library aid.
Does the library offer programs for homeschool families?
Yes. The LCL Homeschoolers group meets monthly during the school year (September–November and January–April) on the 2nd or 3rd Monday at 1:00 PM in the Lawrence County Meeting Room adjacent to the library. Past sessions have included themed crafts, history lessons and book fair presentations.
Can I access Arkansas statewide databases from home without visiting the library?
Yes. The Arkansas Traveler Statewide Databases — funded by the Arkansas State Library and a federal IMLS grant — are available remotely to all Arkansas residents at no cost, with no library card required, simply by enabling location services on your device. Resources include ProQuest periodicals, World Book encyclopedias, ABC-Clio history databases, the Pronunciator language-learning platform (163 languages) and K-12 student databases. Access them at library.arkansas.gov/resources.
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