Independence County Library

🏢 Independence County · Batesville, Arkansas

Independence County Library

Housed since 2018 in the award-winning rehabilitation of the historic Barnett Building on East Main Street, Independence County Library brings nearly a century of community service into a 22,000-square-foot downtown hub — complete with a Rocket Brew café, a drive-thru book drop, and in-library access to Ancestry and Fold3.

📞 (870) 793-8814🌐 indcolib.com🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 9am–6pm
Tuesday 9am–6pm
Wednesday 9am–6pm
Thursday 9am–6pm
Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday 9am–4pm
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 267 East Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501

Phone: (870) 793-8814

Website: indcolib.com

Plus Code: 867CQ8CW+CW (Batesville, AR)

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👋 Use the Library Online

🔍Search the catalog →🌐Library website & card info →🌐Arkansas Traveler Statewide Databases →

📖 About Independence County Library

Independence County Library traces its roots to 1933, when the local P.T.A. and women's clubs opened a reading room at Batesville High School. Formally incorporated as a county library in 1948, it spent 41 years in the Jesse B. Carpenter Building — a 1904 Renaissance Revival former U.S. Post Office — before making its boldest move yet: in 2018, the library relocated to the renovated Barnett Building on East Main Street. The $3.15 million rehabilitation by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects earned a 2019 Preserve Arkansas Honorable Mention for Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation. The new home offers approximately 22,000 square feet — nearly five times the library's previous footprint — with a children's department, a teen zone, 22 public computers, a law library, a 48-seat meeting room, a drive-thru book drop, and the Rocket Brew café inside.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Historic Barnett Building rehabilitation (2018) — $3.15 million renovation by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, winner of a 2019 Preserve Arkansas Honorable Mention
  • 22,000 sq ft — nearly 5× the previous building; includes children's department, teen zone, law library, and 48-seat meeting room
  • Founded 1933 by local P.T.A. and women's clubs; incorporated as Independence County Library 1948
  • In-library free access to Ancestry Library Edition and Fold3 military records (Civil War through Vietnam)
  • Rocket Brew café on site and drive-thru book drop for patron convenience

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Batesville cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through these digital collections:

📚 Arkansas Digital Library Consortium (Libby/OverDrive)Borrow eBooks and audiobooks free with your library card via the Libby app — Independence County Library is a member of the statewide ADLC consortium.
🔍 HeritageQuest OnlineGenealogy database with census records and family history collections — available remotely with your library card.
📺 Ancestry Library Edition (in-library)Full Ancestry database accessible free on library computers — the premier platform for U.S. genealogy records.
🎥 Fold3 (in-library)Military records from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and War of 1812 — free at library computers.
🌐 Arkansas Traveler Statewide DatabasesHundreds of ProQuest, World Book, and health databases free to all Arkansas residents via the Arkansas State Library.

📚 Services

  • 22 public-access computers with Wi-Fi
  • In-library access to Ancestry Library Edition
  • In-library access to Fold3 military records
  • Interlibrary loan and title suggestion program
  • Law library
  • 48-seat public meeting room
  • Drive-thru book drop
  • Copy and print services
  • Rocket Brew café
  • Used bookstore operated by the Friends Foundation

🎸 Programs

  • Children's weekly storytime and activities
  • Teen Zone programs (video games, lounge, events)
  • Genealogy workshops
  • Computer instruction classes
  • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
  • Imagination Library early-childhood book gifting
  • Summer reading challenge

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the library's previous building, and why did it move to the Barnett Building?

Before 2018, the library occupied the Jesse B. Carpenter Building — a 1904 Renaissance Revival former U.S. Post Office and federal courthouse purchased by the county in 1975. After 41 years there, the library moved to the renovated Barnett Building, gaining nearly five times the space through a $3.15 million rehabilitation that earned a 2019 Preserve Arkansas Honorable Mention.

Can I access Ancestry and Fold3 from home with my library card?

Ancestry Library Edition and Fold3 are available free at the library's physical location only and cannot be accessed remotely. However, HeritageQuest Online is available from home with your library card, and FamilySearch and Chronicling America are free online without any login.

Does the library have a drive-thru book return?

Yes. The Barnett Building location includes a drive-thru book drop, allowing patrons to return materials without leaving their vehicle — a feature added as part of the 2018 renovation.

Is there somewhere to get coffee inside the library?

Yes. Rocket Brew, an in-house coffee shop, operates inside the Independence County Library at the Barnett Building. Hours may differ from the library's main schedule — call (870) 793-8814 or visit indcolib.com for current café hours.

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