R. E. Blackwell Memorial Library
🏢 Covington County Library System · Collins, Mississippi
R. E. Blackwell Memorial Library
The R. E. Blackwell Memorial Library has served Covington County since the 1950s, growing from a basement room in Collins City Hall into a dedicated 1978 building named for former Mayor R. E. 'Eddie' Blackwell — the county's hometown hub for books, computers, and free digital resources.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am–1:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 403 South Fir Avenue, Collins, MS 39428
Phone: (601) 765-4612
Website: ccls.lib.ms.us
Plus Code: 863GJCRV+FQ (Collins, MS)
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📖 About R. E. Blackwell Memorial Library
The R. E. Blackwell Memorial Library is the public library of Collins, Mississippi, the county seat of Covington County in the Piney Woods region of south Mississippi. The library traces its origins to the 1950s, when it occupied space in the basement of Collins City Hall. By the mid-1970s the community had outgrown that location, and in 1978 a purpose-built facility opened at 403 South Fir Avenue — funded by the City of Collins and state revenue-sharing programs administered through the Mississippi Library Commission, on land donated by Holden Rhymes and his wife. The building was dedicated to R. E. 'Eddie' Blackwell, a former mayor who championed the project. Today the library operates as the flagship branch of the Covington County Library System, alongside branches in Seminary and Mount Olive, giving all county residents free access to books, computers, and the statewide MAGNOLIA database consortium.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for former Mayor R. E. 'Eddie' Blackwell — the 1978 building was funded by the City of Collins and state programs, on land donated by a local family
- Part of the Covington County Library System with branches in Seminary and Mount Olive, extending service across the county
- Free access to MAGNOLIA, Mississippi's statewide consortium of academic and research databases, available to every library cardholder
- OverDrive eBook catalog lets patrons borrow digital books and audiobooks anytime with a free library card
- Computer training resources through Digital Learn and GCF LearnFree.org, plus summer reading via Beanstack
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
A free Collins library card unlocks Mississippi's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Computer training through Digital Learn and GCF LearnFree.org
- Online catalog and interlibrary loan
- Summer reading program via Beanstack
- Accelerated Reader support for students
- MAGNOLIA and OverDrive digital access
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Challenge via Beanstack for children, teens, and adults
- Computer literacy and digital skills training
- Friends of the Library community support group
- School-support programs including Accelerated Reader
📍 Nearby Libraries in South Mississippi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Collins · Browse all Mississippi libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was R. E. Blackwell, and why is the library named after him?
R. E. 'Eddie' Blackwell was a former mayor of Collins who championed the effort to build a dedicated library building for the community. When the 1978 facility opened at 403 South Fir Avenue — replacing the old basement space in City Hall — it was named in his honor. Funding came from the City of Collins and Mississippi state revenue-sharing programs, with land donated by the Rhymes family.
What is MAGNOLIA, and can I use it with a Collins library card?
MAGNOLIA (Mississippi Alliance for Gaining New Opportunities Through Library Information Access) is a statewide consortium of dozens of academic, professional, and research databases funded for all Mississippi residents. Any valid Covington County Library System card gives you free access to MAGNOLIA resources, both in the library and remotely from home.
Does the Covington County Library System have other branches besides Collins?
Yes — the system has three branches: this flagship Collins branch at 403 South Fir Avenue, a Seminary branch, and a Mount Olive branch. All share the same library card and online catalog, so cardholders can request materials from any branch.
What are the Saturday hours, and is the library open on Sundays?
The library is open Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. Monday through Friday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.