Barton Library
🏢 Union County Public Library System · El Dorado, Arkansas
Barton Library
Barton Library is the flagship branch of the Union County Public Library System, anchoring El Dorado's downtown at 200 E. 5th Street — the heart of Arkansas's Original Boomtown, where an oil strike in 1921 transformed the city into a petroleum powerhouse. The library holds the most extensive El Dorado Polk Directories in the region and is the only branch with Ancestry and Heritage Quest genealogy access.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 1pm–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 200 E. 5th Street, El Dorado, AR 71730
Phone: (870) 863-5447
Website: ucpls.org
Plus Code: 865968CQ+R4 (El Dorado, AR)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Barton Library
Barton Library serves El Dorado, Arkansas, the seat of Union County in the southern part of the state. El Dorado earned the nickname 'Arkansas's Original Boomtown' after the Busey No. 1 well was completed in 1921, triggering an oil boom that transformed the small settlement into a regional industrial center with a refinery commissioned in 1922. That history is reflected in Barton Library's strongest collections: an extensive run of Polk City Directories dating back decades, a genealogy section with microfiche reels from 1923–1959, Heritage Quest for family history research, and in-house Ancestry.com access for tracing Union County roots. Barton is the main branch of the Union County Public Library System, whose card also unlocks branches in Junction City (Harper Memorial), Huttig, Norphlet, Smackover, and Strong. The library offers a free notary weekdays 2–3 pm, an Arkansas History collection, and access to the Arkansas Traveler statewide databases and Libby eBooks through a statewide partnership.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Flagship of the six-branch Union County Public Library System serving all of Union County
- Free Notary Service Monday–Friday 2:00–3:00 pm (or by appointment) — bring valid ID
- In-house Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest for genealogy research — the only UCPLS branch with both
- Extensive El Dorado Polk Directory collection and microfiche reels from 1923–1959 for local research
- Arkansas History Collection covering the state's oil boom era, natural resources and regional heritage
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Barton Library cardholders can access digital resources through the Arkansas State Library statewide network:
📚 Services
- Free Notary Service — Mon–Fri 2:00–3:00 pm or by appointment
- Genealogy research: Ancestry (in-house), Heritage Quest, Polk Directories, microfiche 1923–1959
- Arkansas History Collection
- Public computers, printing, copying, faxing and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting and study room spaces
- Interlibrary loan through the Union County Public Library System
- Books-for-sale (spring and fall sales)
- Fine-free overdue policy — no charges for overdue materials
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Adult programs and community events
- Summer Reading Program
- Biannual book sales (spring and fall)
- GED and homework support resources
📍 Nearby Libraries in South Arkansas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in El Dorado · Browse all Arkansas libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Barton Library the best place in the area for genealogy research?
Barton is the only Union County Public Library System branch with in-house access to both Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest, making it the strongest genealogy destination in the region. Add the library's extensive collection of El Dorado Polk City Directories and microfiche reels covering 1923–1959, plus a dedicated Arkansas History collection, and you have serious local and statewide research depth.
Can I get notary service at Barton Library?
Yes. The library offers free notary service Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, or by appointment. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and do not sign your documents until you are in front of the notary.
Does a Union County library card work at other branches in El Dorado or the county?
One card covers all six branches of the Union County Public Library System: Barton (El Dorado), Harper Memorial (Junction City), Huttig, Norphlet, Smackover and Strong. New cards are free — email your name, address, phone and date of birth to eldorado@ucpls.org and the library will mail the card out.
What are the library's hours and does it charge fines for overdue books?
Barton Library is open Monday through Friday 10 am–6 pm and Saturday 1 pm–5 pm; it is closed on Sundays. The library currently does not charge overdue fines — only replacement costs apply if an item is lost or damaged.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 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 has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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