Allen County Public Library
🏢 Allen County Public Library · Scottsville, Kentucky
Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library occupies a prominent spot on Scottsville's Public Square — the civic heart of this south-central Kentucky county seat — in a modern 16,300-square-foot facility that doubled in size through a 2007–2009 expansion. From its roots as a small room of borrowed books in 1915 to today's full-service library with genealogy databases, a makerspace, and evening hours four nights a week, it has grown with every generation of Allen County residents.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–4pm |
| Saturday | 9am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 106 WEST PUBLIC SQUARE, SCOTTSVILLE, KY 42164
Phone: (270) 237-3861
Website: allencountylibrary.com
Plus Code: 868MQR35+6G (SCOTTSVILLE, KY)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library traces its history to 1915, when Miss Sallie Edmonds opened the first public library in Allen County in a frame house on East Maple Street with fewer than 100 books. After a dormant period, the modern library was formally re-established in 1954, initially housed in the basement of the Horseshoe Restaurant on South Court Street before moving through several locations. The current building opened on January 3, 1978, with 6,769 square feet, and a major expansion completed in 2009 doubled its footprint to 16,300 square feet, adding a children's area anchored by a 'history tree' inspired by a 1755 National Record Pignut Hickory. Today the library is centrally located at 106 West Public Square in Scottsville, the Allen County seat, and serves more than 6,500 active cardholders. Its digital offerings include Hoopla streaming, Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest genealogy, Kentucky Virtual Library databases, and Libby eBooks — all free with a library card. The library's book club 'Books on the Square' and regular mahjong and jazz programs reflect its role as a community gathering place as well as a resource center.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Historic roots since 1915 — first established by Miss Sallie Edmonds, formally re-opened in 1954 and in its current square location since 1978
- Modern 16,300-sq-ft facility after a 2007–2009 expansion that doubled the original building — one of south-central Kentucky's largest county libraries
- Children's Services 'history tree' inspired by an Allen County Pignut Hickory dated to 1755
- Free Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest for on-site genealogy research
- Monday–Thursday evening hours (open until 7 pm) plus Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL) and Hoopla streaming with your card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Allen County cardholders unlock a full suite of free digital resources including statewide databases and streaming media:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing, copying, and free Wi-Fi
- Genealogy research (Ancestry Library Edition & Heritage Quest, on-site)
- Kentucky Legal Aid Network and court form resources
- Meeting room available for community use
- Interlibrary loan
- Makerspace activities
- Reference and reader's advisory services
🎸 Programs
- 'Books on the Square' adult book club
- Mahjong workshops
- Jazz night community events
- Children's programming and storytimes
- Summer reading program
- Educator and career resources
📍 Nearby Libraries in South-Central Kentucky
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in SCOTTSVILLE · Browse all Kentucky libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Allen County Public Library first open, and who founded it?
The first library in Allen County opened in 1915 when Miss Sallie Edmonds established a small reading room in a frame house on East Maple Street with fewer than 100 books. After a quiet period, the modern library was formally re-established in 1954 and has grown into today's 16,300-square-foot facility on the Public Square.
What is the 'history tree' in the children's area?
When the library expanded in 2007–2009, designers drew inspiration from a National Record Pignut Hickory tree in Allen County that dates to 1755. The Children's Services area features a decorative 'history tree' motif to honor that living connection to the county's deep history.
Does the library offer genealogy resources?
Yes. The library provides free on-site access to Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest, two of the most comprehensive genealogy databases available, covering census records, vital records, military records, and family histories. These can be used at the library's public computers during regular hours.
Is the Allen County Public Library open in the evenings?
Yes, Monday through Thursday the library is open from 9 am to 7 pm. Friday and Saturday hours are 9 am to 4 pm. The library is closed on Sunday.
📜 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 a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces 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.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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