Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library
🏢 Northwest Regional Library · Vernon, Alabama
Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library
Named in honor of a beloved local educator and opened as one of Alabama's 1961 Library Service Act demonstration branches, the Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library anchors Lamar County's seat of Vernon — offering genealogy resources, a Northwest Regional collection, and free statewide digital access to all residents.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 110 FIRST AVENUE WEST, VERNON, AL 35592
Phone: +1 205-695-6123
Website: northwestregional.net
Plus Code: 865HQV5Q+5M (VERNON, AL)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library
The Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library was established in 1961 as part of the Alabama Public Library Service's Library Service Act demonstration that brought organized public library service to northwest Alabama for the first time. Vernon — the seat of Lamar County — was one of three communities to receive a new branch through that initiative, alongside Sulligent and Winfield. The library is named in honor of Mary Wallace Cobb, a Lamar County educator remembered for her lifelong dedication to literacy and community learning. Today the library holds over 12,400 volumes and serves roughly 2,000 residents as a branch of the Northwest Regional Library system, which spans Lamar, Marion, and Franklin counties. A particularly notable feature is the library's genealogy collection, open Tuesday and Thursday mornings, which supports family history research drawing on local Lamar County records. The library also functions as a community cultural landmark, listed by Alabama Tourism as a destination in its own right.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1961 as one of the original Library Service Act demonstration branches in northwest Alabama
- Dedicated genealogy collection open Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM for family history research
- 12,400+ volume collection serving Vernon and Lamar County residents
- Part of the Northwest Regional Library system — borrow from branches across three counties
- Recognized by Alabama Tourism as a community cultural destination
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free library card unlocks the Northwest Regional catalog and Alabama's statewide digital collection.
📚 Services
- Free library card (Lamar County residents)
- Genealogy collection (Tue & Thu 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Books-By-Mail for homebound or rural patrons
- Interlibrary loan through Northwest Regional system
- Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) digital access
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program
- Art programs & seasonal community events
- Genealogy research assistance (limited hours)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Lamar & Marion Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library offer genealogy research help?
Yes. The library maintains a dedicated genealogy collection available on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Staff can assist with family history research drawing on local Lamar County records, census data, and other genealogical resources.
Who was Mary Wallace Cobb, and why is the library named for her?
Mary Wallace Cobb (1914–1993) was a Lamar County educator honored for her dedication to literacy and learning in the local community. The library bears her name as a memorial to her lasting impact on education in Vernon and the surrounding area.
Is the library open on Saturdays?
No. The Mary Wallace Cobb Memorial Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Can I borrow items from other Northwest Regional branches with my Vernon library card?
Yes. Your library card is valid at all Northwest Regional branches serving Lamar, Marion, and Franklin counties. Interlibrary loan is also available for items not held in any branch collection.
📜 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.