Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library
🏢 Public Libraries of Shelby County · Columbiana, Alabama
Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library
Named for the board chair who unified Shelby County's libraries over 51 years of service, the Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library coordinates 13 public library branches from its Columbiana headquarters — including the Books-by-Mail program she founded in 1986 that still delivers materials to homebound residents today.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–4pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–4pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–4pm |
| Thursday | 8am–4pm |
| Friday | 8am–4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 50 Lester Street, Columbiana, AL 35051
Phone: (205) 669-3910
Website: shelbycounty-al.org
Plus Code: 865M59HR+V9 (Columbiana, AL)
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📖 About Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library
The Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library in Columbiana is the administrative heart of Public Libraries of Shelby County, a cooperative network of 13 libraries serving more than 145,000 county residents with a single shared card. Named in 1985 in honor of Mildred B. Harrison — who chaired the Shelby County Library Board for 51 years and helped implement the county's first unified library card in 1984 — the building dates to 1964, when it was constructed as Shelby County's first dedicated library facility. From this headquarters, the system coordinates countywide cataloging via a shared Polaris catalog, daily delivery between branches, interlibrary loan, technology infrastructure, and centralized database access. Mrs. Harrison's legacy includes the Books-by-Mail program she established in 1986, which the library still administers to bring materials free of charge to homebound Shelby County residents. The Alabama Library Association recognized her contributions with its Public Servant Award in 1995. The co-located Columbiana Public Library branch shares the 50 Lester Street building and provides patron-facing services with extended hours.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Administrative headquarters of the 13-branch Public Libraries of Shelby County cooperative — one countywide card works at every member library
- Named in 1985 for Mildred B. Harrison, who chaired the Shelby County Library Board for 51 years and created the first unified countywide library card in 1984
- Administers Books-by-Mail (est. 1986), delivering books, large-print titles, audiobooks, and DVDs free to homebound Shelby County residents
- Coordinates shared Polaris catalog, countywide ILL, daily inter-branch delivery, and centralized EBSCO, Heritage Quest, and Homework Alabama database access
- Co-located with the Columbiana Public Library branch, which offers patron-facing services and extended evening and Saturday hours
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Shelby County cardholders access Alabama's statewide and countywide digital collections free of charge:
📚 Services
- Countywide library card honored at all 13 Shelby County Public Libraries member branches
- Books-by-Mail / Homebound Services — free delivery for residents with mobility or health limitations
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) — request items from libraries statewide and nationally
- Daily inter-branch delivery connecting all county library locations
- Centralized cataloging and database access for the 13-branch system
- Access to EBSCO, Heritage Quest, NoveList Plus, LearningExpress, and Homework Alabama databases
🎸 Programs
- Books-by-Mail homebound reading program (administered from headquarters)
- Adult book clubs (system-wide)
- Computer and digital skills classes (coordinated countywide)
- Children's and adult programming coordinated with co-located Columbiana Public Library branch
📍 Nearby Libraries in Shelby County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Columbiana · Browse all Alabama libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mildred B. Harrison, and why is this library named after her?
Mildred B. Harrison was a Shelby County educator and civic leader who chaired the Shelby County Library Board for 51 years and served on the Alabama Public Library Service Executive Board. She spearheaded the consolidation of county libraries into a single cooperative, championed the county's first unified library card in 1984, and established the Books-by-Mail program in 1986. The library was renamed in her honor in 1985, and the Alabama Library Association recognized her with its Public Servant Award in 1995.
What is the difference between the Harrison Regional Library and the Columbiana Public Library — are they in the same place?
Both occupy the same building at 50 Lester Street, but they serve different functions. The Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library (205-669-3910) is the administrative headquarters of the 13-branch Public Libraries of Shelby County system, open Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM. The Columbiana Public Library (205-669-5812) is the patron-facing branch in the same facility, offering a full collection, children's programs, and extended hours including evenings and Saturday mornings.
Does a Shelby County library card work at branches other than Columbiana?
Yes — one of Mildred Harrison's signature achievements was implementing the first unified countywide card in 1984. A single card from any of the 13 Public Libraries of Shelby County member libraries works across the entire system, from Alabaster and Pelham to Calera, Helena, Montevallo, and beyond. Items can be transferred between branches through the daily delivery service.
Does the library serve residents who cannot visit in person?
Yes. The Books-by-Mail / Homebound Services program, which Mildred Harrison founded in 1986, delivers books, large-print editions, audiobooks, and DVDs free of charge to Shelby County residents who cannot visit due to illness, disability, or mobility limitations. Call the library at (205) 669-3910 to enroll.
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