DeKalb County Public Library
🏢 DeKalb County Public Library System · Fort Payne, Alabama
DeKalb County Public Library
Founded in 1941 in the DeKalb County seat where Cherokee removal history meets the legacy of America's sock-making capital, the DeKalb County Public Library anchors a seven-branch system and houses a local history and genealogy department rooted in the stories that shaped northeastern Alabama.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–4:45pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–4:45pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–4:45pm |
| Thursday | 9am–4:45pm |
| Friday | 9am–1pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 504 Grand Ave NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Phone: (256) 845-2671
Website: dekalbcountypubliclibrary.wordpress.com
Plus Code: 866PC7WH+5V (Fort Payne, 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 DeKalb County Public Library
Established in 1941 by the DeKalb County Commission, the DeKalb County Public Library anchors a seven-branch system — with locations in Collinsville, Crossville, Geraldine, Henagar, Ider, and Rainsville — serving more than 68,500 residents across Fort Payne and surrounding communities. The main branch on Grand Avenue NW holds a circulating collection of over 84,000 volumes with nearly 80,000 annual circulations, alongside an extensive Local History and Genealogy Department drawing researchers who explore the region's Cherokee heritage (Fort Payne served as a removal stockade in 1838, with multiple groups departing along the Trail of Tears), as well as the county's transformation into what was once called the Sock Capital of the World — producing more than 3 million pairs per week at its 1990s peak. Free library cards are issued to any DeKalb County resident or employee with proof of address and carry no expiration date. The DeKalb County Genealogical Society meets at the library, making it a hub for community family research.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Extensive Local History and Genealogy Department — ideal for researching Cherokee removal, Trail of Tears departures from Fort Payne (1838), and DeKalb County family records
- Collection of 84,538+ volumes with approximately 79,800 items circulated annually
- Seven-branch county system (Fort Payne, Collinsville, Crossville, Geraldine, Henagar, Ider, Rainsville) serving the full county on one library card
- Free Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) access — statewide databases including EBSCO, Homework Alabama live tutoring, and research tools for all Alabama residents
- Children's Story Hour every Thursday at 10:00 AM, plus annual Summer Reading Program and the DeKalb County Genealogical Society
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
DeKalb County cardholders access Alabama's statewide digital collections free of charge:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for DeKalb County residents and employees (no expiration date, proof of address required)
- Circulating collection: fiction, nonfiction, audiobooks (books-on-CD), DVDs, and periodicals — over 84,000 volumes
- Local History and Genealogy Department with specialized reference materials
- Public computers with internet access
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the library
- Photocopying and printing
- Children's area with age-appropriate collections
- Seven-branch county system with one shared library card
🎸 Programs
- Children's Story Hour — every Thursday at 10:00 AM, all ages welcome
- Summer Reading Challenge — annual June–July program with prizes; 2026 theme: 'Unearth a Story'
- Homework Alabama — free online tutoring for K–12 students and adult learners (via library's digital resources)
- DeKalb County Genealogical Society — meets at the library; open to community researchers
📍 Explore More Alabama Libraries
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Fort Payne · Browse all Alabama libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What local history and genealogy resources does the library hold for DeKalb County research?
The DeKalb County Public Library maintains an extensive Local History and Genealogy Department with reference materials covering county history, family records, and regional events — including the Cherokee removal of 1838, when multiple groups departed from Fort Payne along the Trail of Tears. The library also hosts the DeKalb County Genealogical Society, a valuable resource for researchers tracing local families. For assistance with research, call (256) 845-2671 during library hours.
Does the library have materials related to Fort Payne's hosiery industry?
Yes. Fort Payne was once known as the Sock Capital of the World, producing more than 3 million pairs per week at its 1990s peak — a legacy rooted in Florence Knitting Company's arrival in 1907. The library's local history collection includes materials on DeKalb County's industrial and economic heritage, including the textile and hosiery industry that shaped Fort Payne through the twentieth century.
Can I access online tutoring and research databases from home through the library?
Yes. The Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) at avl.lib.al.us is free to every Alabama resident — no library card required — for 24/7 access to EBSCO academic databases, magazine archives, and research tools. The library also provides access to Homework Alabama, offering free live tutoring from Tutor.com every Sunday–Thursday from 3:00–10:00 PM for students in grades K–12, college intro courses, and adult learners.
How do I get a library card, and does it work at all seven DeKalb County branches?
Cards are free for anyone who lives or works in DeKalb County — bring proof of your current mailing address. Cards never expire. One card works at all seven branches: the main branch in Fort Payne plus locations in Collinsville, Crossville, Geraldine, Henagar, Ider, and Rainsville.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.