Welcome to the Knox County Public Library 206 Knox Street Barbourville, KY. 40906
Welcome to the Knox County Public Library 206 Knox Street Barbourville, KY. 40906
The Knox County Public Library has been a cornerstone of literacy, learning, and community connection for generations. From our humble beginnings during the Great Depression, our current facility, to our future home, our mission has always been to enrich the lives of the residents of Knox County.
Early Beginnings & Resilience
Our roots trace back to the Depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) Pack Horse Library Project. During this time, dedicated local carriers traveled by foot and horseback to deliver books and magazines to rural families across the county. Though this initial initiative concluded ahead of World War II, the seed for a permanent community library had been planted.
Following the war, Barbourville opened its first official public library inside a Quonset hut behind the municipal building. When local flood wall construction forced a relocation, the library moved to the second floor of the Union National Bank building before temporarily closing its doors. In 1960, thanks to the overwhelming generosity, donations, and advocacy of local businesses and civic organizations, the library successfully reopened to serve the public once more.
A Modern Era of Community Service
For decades, the library operated out of the old Barbourville City Hall until outgrowing the space. In 1993 the Knox County Library Board of Trustees purchased two adjoining building on Knox Street which we officially moved into in 1996. This transition allowed us to expand our collections, integrate public technology, and introduce vital educational programs for all ages.
Looking Toward the Future
Today, the Knox County Public Library continues to evolve alongside the community we serve. To meet the ever-growing demand for digital resources, lifelong learning initiatives, and public gathering spaces, we are actively planning for the future. Our goal remains steadfast: to provide a modern, spacious, and fully equipped environment that inspires curiosity, supports education, and brings the people of Knox County together.
Having outgrown our current building, a new facility is being built to meet the needs of our growing community. Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the future home of the Knox County Public Library will be a place where our community can come together to learn, explore, connect, and create for generations to come.
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