Johnson County Public Library
🏢 Johnson County Public Library · Paintsville, Kentucky
Johnson County Public Library
The Johnson County Public Library occupies a historic former silent film theater at 444 Main Street in Paintsville, deep in the Kentucky Appalachians. Its roots trace to 1913, when May Florence Stafford became the first pack horse librarian in the nation, riding into Johnson County communities with books funded by coal magnate John C.C. Mayo. Today the 12,180-square-foot library — home to a beloved children's bookmobile replica — is open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and charges no overdue fines for books.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 444 Main Street, Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 789-4355
Website: johnsoncountypubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 869VR57R+8P (Paintsville, KY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Johnson County Public Library
The Johnson County Public Library in Paintsville, Kentucky, carries one of the most distinctive origin stories in American library history. In 1913–1914, May Florence Stafford became the first pack horse librarian in the nation, riding into the remote hollers of Johnson County with books funded by local coal and land magnate John C.C. Mayo. Stafford later supervised 12–15 Pack Horse Librarians during the WPA era from 1938 to 1943, bringing reading materials to isolated mountain communities when roads were impassable. The modern library opened in the 1940s in a WPA-built structure and in 1970 relocated to its current location at 444 Main Street — the former building of a silent film theater. The library has expanded four times since, growing to 12,180 square feet, with a 2019 renovation adding modern decor and a beloved children's bookmobile replica play area. Today the library serves Johnson County through circulating books, a bookmobile that makes home visits, Libby and hoopla digital content, Rocket Languages (14 languages), the Kentucky Talking Book Library for patrons with print disabilities, and a no-overdue-fines policy for books (DVDs carry a $2/week fee for unreturned items only).
⭐ What makes this library special
- Home of the first pack horse librarian in the nation — May Florence Stafford began riding books into Johnson County communities in 1913, funded by coal magnate John C.C. Mayo
- WPA Pack Horse Librarian program (1938–1943) sent 12–15 librarians on horseback into remote mountain hollers to bring reading to isolated families
- Building is a converted historic silent film theater on Main Street — the library moved here in 1970 and has expanded four times since
- 2019 renovation added a children's bookmobile replica play area and modern decor across 12,180 square feet
- No overdue fines for books, open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and a Story Trail at Thealka Park
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Johnson County cardholders can read, stream, and learn free through these digital resources:
📚 Services
- Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL) — free audio and Braille materials for patrons with visual, physical, or reading disabilities
- Bookmobile with home visits throughout Johnson County
- No overdue fines for books (DVDs: $2/week for unreturned items only)
- Interlibrary loan services
- Computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Story Trail at Thealka Park for outdoor reading
- Historic Walking Tour brochures for Paintsville
🎸 Programs
- Wednesday Storytime for young children
- Test Run Tuesdays (free hands-on activities)
- Teen Writers Club, sand art, and movie nights
- Gentle Yoga classes for adults
- Book Talks and Book Club discussions
- Family Fun Day events
- Educate Station (Pre-K through 2nd grade curriculum)
- Summer Reading Program
- Passport to Your Community — family program from newborn through kindergarten
📍 Nearby Libraries in Eastern Kentucky
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Paintsville · Browse all Kentucky libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pack horse librarian history connected to the Johnson County Public Library?
In 1913–1914, May Florence Stafford became the first pack horse librarian in the nation, riding on horseback into the remote communities of Johnson County with books funded by local coal and land magnate John C.C. Mayo. During the WPA era (1938–1943), Stafford later supervised 12–15 pack horse librarians who continued to bring reading materials to isolated mountain families in eastern Kentucky when roads were impassable. This remarkable heritage is central to the library's identity.
Does the Johnson County Public Library charge overdue fines?
No — the library charges no overdue fines for books. The only late fee is $2 per week for DVDs that are not returned. This fine-free policy for books removes a barrier for families and encourages everyone to borrow freely.
What is the Passport to Your Community program at the Johnson County library?
'Passport to Your Community: Connecting Families, Building Communities' is the library's early childhood initiative serving families with children from newborn through kindergarten age. Coordinated by a Community Navigator, the program connects families to early literacy resources, community services, and library programs to support healthy child development.
Does the library serve patrons with visual or reading disabilities?
Yes. The Johnson County Public Library participates in the Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL), which provides free audio and Braille library services to individuals with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Ask library staff to help enroll in KTBL, which delivers materials directly to patrons' homes.
🖨 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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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.