Conway County Library
🏢 Serving Conway County · Morrilton, Arkansas
Conway County Library
One of only two Carnegie library buildings in Arkansas still in use, the Conway County Library has served Morrilton from its 1916 Classical Revival home — won by a determined women's club that leveraged a donated 1,800-book collection to secure Andrew Carnegie's grant.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 W Church St, Morrilton, AR 72110
Phone: (501) 354-5204
Website: conwaycountylibrary.org
Plus Code: 86795723+FP (Morrilton, 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 Conway County Library
The Conway County Library occupies the same Classical Revival brick building — designed by Little Rock architect Thomas Harding and funded by a $10,000 Andrew Carnegie grant — that opened in October 1916, making Morrilton the smallest town in the South at the time to receive Carnegie library funding. The Pathfinder Club, a local women's civic organization founded in 1897, drove the effort, leveraging a donated collection of approximately 1,800 rare volumes known as the Porter Collection to secure the grant. The 3,628-square-foot building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1978 and is one of only two Carnegie library buildings in Arkansas still operating as a public library. Major renovations in 1972 and 2000 added 1,300 square feet, an elevator, and handicapped-accessible facilities while preserving the original architecture. Today the library's approximately 35,000-item automated collection serves Conway County residents with free Wi-Fi, public computers, Libby and Kanopy digital access, and community programs including the long-running Well Seasoned Book Club.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1916 Carnegie building: one of only two original Carnegie library structures still operating as a public library in Arkansas
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since April 15, 1978 (NRHP #78000581)
- Founded through community effort by the Pathfinder Club, which began collecting books as early as 1897
- Automated collection of approximately 35,000 items (ILS: Library.Solution by TLC)
- Well Seasoned Book Club meets monthly since March 1999 — one of central Arkansas's longest-running library book clubs
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Conway County cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through these resources:
📚 Services
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Public access computers
- Physical book, DVD, and audiobook borrowing (~35,000 items)
- Interlibrary loan
- Library cards for Conway County and Arkansas residents
- Teen volunteer program
- Material suggestion submissions
🎸 Programs
- Well Seasoned Book Club — meets the 4th Monday of each month (except December) at 6:00 PM; open membership; sponsored by Friends of the Library
- Lunch & Learn — periodic adult programming funded by Friends of the Library
- Children's programs — monthly programming for kids
- Teen programs — monthly programming and volunteer opportunities
- Adult Summer Reading Program — annual summer initiative
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central Arkansas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Morrilton · Browse all Arkansas libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Conway County Library building really more than 100 years old, and why is that significant?
Yes — the library has occupied the same Classical Revival brick building since October 1916, when it opened with $10,000 in Carnegie grant funding. It is one of only two Carnegie library buildings in Arkansas that still functions as an active public library, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 15, 1978 (NRHP #78000581).
Who were the Pathfinder Club, and how did they make the Carnegie library possible for Morrilton?
The Pathfinder Club was a women's civic organization formed in Morrilton in 1897 to establish a community library. They collected books for years and arranged a temporary library in a former church by 1914. The key turning point was a donation of the Porter Collection — approximately 1,800 rare books originally owned by Chicago engraver William H. Porter — which the club used to successfully apply for and receive a Carnegie Foundation grant on September 29, 1915, making Morrilton the smallest town in the South at the time to secure Carnegie library funding.
Can I access digital resources from home with a Conway County Library card?
Yes. Cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through the Libby app and stream films and documentaries through Kanopy, both free with a library card. Arkansas residents also have free access to the Arkansas State Library's Traveler program — dozens of online databases covering genealogy, health, news, and business — accessible at library.arkansas.gov.
How long has the Well Seasoned Book Club been meeting, and how can I join?
The Well Seasoned Book Club was founded in March 1999 and is sponsored by the Friends of the Conway County Library. It meets on the fourth Monday of every month (except December) at 6:00 PM in the library. Membership is open to anyone — members collectively choose each month's title and take turns leading the discussion. Call (501) 354-5204 to get started.
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