Carl Elliott Regional Library — Jasper Public Library
🏢 Carl Elliott Regional Library System · Jasper, Alabama
Carl Elliott Regional Library — Jasper Public Library
The Jasper Public Library is the main branch of the Carl Elliott Regional Library System, a Walker and Winston County network named for Jasper's own Carl Elliott — the U.S. congressman who championed federal library funding during his three decades in Washington. Founded in 1931 as the Walker County Library, the branch moved to its current home at 98 18th Street East in 1976 and today serves as the system's headquarters for six branches.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–4:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 98 18th Street East, Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: (205) 221-8512
Website: youseemore.com
Plus Code: 865JRPMG+94 (Jasper, AL)
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📖 About Carl Elliott Regional Library — Jasper Public Library
The Carl Elliott Regional Library System traces its roots to June 8, 1931, when the Walker County Library opened to serve residents of a county anchored by the coal-mining town of Jasper. The system was later renamed in honor of Carl Elliott, a Jasper-born U.S. representative who served from 1949 to 1965 and was a driving force behind the Library Services Act of 1956 — the first major federal investment in rural public libraries. The Jasper branch moved to its present 18th Street East location in 1976 and operates as the system's headquarters, coordinating service across five additional branches in Arley, Carbon Hill, Double Springs, Haleyville, and Sumiton. The Elizabeth T. Wiggins Heritage Room houses an extensive genealogy and local history collection covering Walker and Winston counties. Digital resources include eBooks and audiobooks through Camellia Net and the statewide Alabama Virtual Library (AVL), which gives every Alabama resident 24/7 access to premier research databases at no charge.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Jasper native Carl Elliott, the U.S. congressman who authored the Library Services Act of 1956 bringing federal funds to rural libraries
- Founded June 8, 1931, as the Walker County Library — one of Alabama's older continuously operating regional systems
- Elizabeth T. Wiggins Heritage Room specializing in Walker and Winston County genealogy and local history
- Six-branch system serving Walker and Winston counties (95,000+ residents) with locations in Arley, Carbon Hill, Double Springs, Haleyville, Sumiton, and Jasper
- Camellia Net eBooks & audiobooks plus the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) statewide database suite — free with a library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Jasper cardholders can download, stream, and research free through Alabama's statewide and system digital collections:
📚 Services
- Elizabeth T. Wiggins Heritage Room — genealogy and local history research collection
- Public computers with internet access and printing
- eBooks & audiobooks through Camellia Net digital library
- Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) database access
- Meeting room available for community use
- Test proctoring services
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Library card registration for Walker and Winston County residents
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Community events and author programs
- Homework Alabama tutoring (online, available to all card holders)
📍 Nearby Libraries in North-Central Alabama
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Carl Elliott, and why is the library named after him?
Carl Elliott was a Jasper-born U.S. representative who served Alabama's 7th Congressional District from 1949 to 1965. He was a leading sponsor of the Library Services Act of 1956, the first significant federal legislation to fund rural and small-town public libraries across America. Naming the regional system after him honors his role in ensuring Walker County and communities like it received the library resources they needed.
What is the Elizabeth T. Wiggins Heritage Room?
The Heritage Room is the library's dedicated genealogy and local history collection, housing materials focused on Walker and Winston County family history, historical records, and community archives. It is available to researchers during regular library hours and is a valuable resource for anyone tracing roots in North-Central Alabama.
What are the library's hours and is it open on weekends?
The Jasper branch is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday. Branch locations (Arley, Carbon Hill, Double Springs, Haleyville, Sumiton) keep varying hours — check the system website for details.
Can I get a library card if I live in Winston County?
Yes. The Carl Elliott Regional Library System serves both Walker and Winston counties, so residents of either county are eligible for a free library card. Your card works at all six branches and gives you access to digital collections including Camellia Net eBooks and the Alabama Virtual Library.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 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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