Phillips County Library
🏢 Phillips-Lee-Monroe Regional Library System · Helena, Arkansas
Phillips County Library
Phillips County Library at 702 Porter Street is the headquarters of one of Arkansas's oldest library traditions, tracing its roots to the Women's Library Association of Helena — organized on February 29, 1888 — and serving the Delta community from the Mississippi River bluffs.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 702 Porter Street, Helena, AR 72342
Phone: (870) 338-3537
Website: phillipscountylibrary.com
Plus Code: 866FGCH5+F9 (Helena, AR)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Phillips County Library
The Helena library story began in 1888 when forty Helena women formed the Women's Library Association to bring public reading rooms to their city. By September 11, 1891, they had opened Library Hall at 623 Pecan Street — a stately 2½-story Second Empire building designed by George R. Mann that doubled as the city's civic center and is recognized today as Phillips County's oldest civic building and the first public library in Arkansas. In 1948 the library formally became the Phillips County Library, eventually growing into the Phillips-Lee-Monroe Regional Library System that now serves Phillips, Lee, and Monroe counties from branches in Helena, West Helena, Marvell, and Elaine. The current headquarters at 702 Porter Street holds a collection of more than 48,000 volumes and provides public computers, internet access, and eBook borrowing. Lively children's programs each summer — featuring live animals, theater performances, and magicians — make the library a hub for Helena-West Helena families.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Successor to the first public library in Arkansas, founded 1888 by the Women's Library Association of Helena
- Phillips-Lee-Monroe Regional Library System serves Phillips, Lee, and Monroe counties
- Collection of 48,000+ volumes across Helena, Marvell, and Elaine branches
- eBooks available via OverDrive for all cardholders
- Lively summer children's programs — live animals, theater, and magic shows
- Public computers and free internet access
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Arkansas cardholders get free access to the Traveler digital library statewide and can borrow eBooks 24/7 through OverDrive.
📚 Services
- Free library card for Phillips County residents
- Public computers and free internet access
- Printing and copying
- eBook borrowing via OverDrive
- Community room
- Limited genealogy research resources
- Interlibrary loan
- Summer reading program
🎸 Programs
- Summer children's programs — live animal presentations, theater performances, magic shows
- Summer Reading Program for children and teens
- Early literacy story times
- Community meeting room events
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Arkansas Delta
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Phillips County Library really the oldest public library in Arkansas?
The library's direct predecessor — Library Hall, opened September 11, 1891 by the Women's Library Association of Helena — is recognized as the first public library in Arkansas and the longest continuously operating library west of the Mississippi River. The building at 623 Pecan Street still stands and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1975).
What other branches does the Phillips-Lee-Monroe Regional Library System operate?
In addition to the Phillips County Library headquarters at 702 Porter Street in Helena, the system includes the West Helena branch, the Marvell Public Library, and the Elaine branch, covering Phillips, Lee, and Monroe counties.
How do I get a library card and borrow eBooks?
Bring a photo ID and proof of your current address to any Phillips-Lee-Monroe branch. Once you have your card, visit adlc.overdrive.com or download the Libby app to borrow eBooks and audiobooks at no charge.
When are the summer children's programs held?
The library hosts its most popular children's events in June, featuring live animal presentations, theatrical performances, and magic shows. Specific dates and registration details are posted at phillipscountylibrary.com and on the library's Facebook page.
📜 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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