About Art Circle Public Library

Art Circle Public Library has one of the most remarkable founding stories in Tennessee history. In 1898, a group of Crossville women known as "The Art Circle" gathered to socialize and decided to collect and lend books to the public from a room at the old Cumberland County High School. Their grassroots effort blossomed into the first official Art Circle Public Library, which opened in a former bank building in March 1939. By 1975, the collection had grown so substantially that a new building was required, and in 2010 a magnificent 34,000-square-foot facility was completed in downtown Crossville, giving Cumberland County one of the finest library buildings in the region.

Today, Art Circle Public Library is part of the Falling Water Regional Library system and maintains a collection of over 115,000 volumes. The library serves Crossville and the greater Cumberland County area, which has become a popular retirement destination known for its mild climate and natural beauty. With expansive hours and a welcoming atmosphere, the library is a beloved gathering point for residents of all ages, offering digital resources through OverDrive, Tennessee Electronic Library databases, children's programming, and community events throughout the year.