THE SHELBYVILLE-BEDFORD County Public Library at 220 S. Jefferson St. is topsy-turvy. Staff completed a much-needed reset, replacing the adult book section with the children’s and youth books section. They also moved the history room to the far left corner and moved the entire children’s library into the larger, enclosed room in the front corner of the building, where they previously stored historical books, maps, and documents.
Warm natural light seeps through the oversized windows lining the rear of the building. To leverage the full benefits of this design, staff reinstalled the taller shelves in the opposite direction. This eliminated the dark corridors that plagued the previous adult fiction and nonfiction sections. The rear corner, where the Friends of the Library sold used books, now serves as a semiprivate nook. Teens can now curl up in a variety of colorful, cozy chairs. The addition of tall, circular tables and chairs perched in the center aisle of the library allows patrons a wall-to-wall bird’s-eye view.
Picture windows outline the expansive technology lab, which offers space for the public to surf the internet, print, or fax important documents, peruse old newspapers and documents on the microfilm machine, and access Wi-Fi. According to Director Margaret Petty, this room, formerly known as the computer room, is the first of several areas slated to receive upgrades.
Petty, who began as a part-time volunteer at the Argie Cooper Public Library in 1995, became full time in 1996. She served as the technology and children’s librarian and was the assistant director for three years before becoming director in 2023.
“Our children’s programs are growing. During our interactive story time, which takes place each Wednesday, 20 to 30 kids attend. We kept having to borrow the meeting room and decided we didn’t want to keep doing that. Moving the children’s room gives parents an area where they can go in, close the door, and not worry about their toddler running off. The history room is important, and now it’s easier to find. I believe this move was best for both areas,” Petty said.
According to library statistics, during June 2025, 16,130 adults and 2,373 children had library cards, and over 3,600 patrons visited. Our library provided over 50 free programs, and over 700 patrons attended.
Ever dreamed of sewing your own quilt, or learning to crochet? Interested in joining a book club, enrolling your child or teen in a weekly activity, or forming friendships with others who share your unique interests? Look no further than the Shelbyville-Bedford County Library.
Benjamin Franklin created the first lending library on a subscription basis in 1731. The idea took flight, and our nation quickly embraced Franklin’s mission to ensure patrons had access to materials that promote unlimited education.
Locally, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary curated a library inside the Bedford County Courthouse. However, it was lost in the fire of 1934. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary created the Bedford County Memorial Library in 1948 using a vacant passenger room inside the railway depot. When the General Services Administration granted permission in 1964 for the circa 1915 post office — where the Shops at Main & McGrew exists today — to be used as a public library, the library was given the name Argie Cooper in honor of former Gov. Prentice Cooper’s mother.
In 2014, the Shelbyville-Bedford County Library broke ground on its current building. On July 26, it celebrated its 10th anniversary with food trucks, cartoons, crafts, and activity booths, and held a ribbon-cutting for its upcoming addition — an outdoor patio.
“We received a $700,000 broadband grant through Connected Communities Facilities.” Petty added, “But we must match this by 10%. We still need to raise $70,000. With these funds, we are thrilled to add a covered patio enclosed by a fence. The roof will be covered with solar panels, which will provide electricity. Patrons can sit outside, work on their computers, read, or hang out.”
They recently added a lay-flat scanner and a 3D printer to their makerspace, and a tech grant provided the funds for a desktop laser cutter and engraver called a Glowforge. A “library of things” is also in the works.
Baking a cake and need a custom pan? Check one — or several — out with your library card. Other things offered will one day include sewing machines, costumes, small tools for use in home and DIY projects, STEM kits for hands-on learning, craft supplies, telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, sensory kits, outdoor and recreation gear, board games, puzzles … the list goes on.
The library recently expanded its service hours. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.
“We are here. We aren’t going away. Everyone is welcome. Whatever you need help with, we will do our best to help you. Libraries have changed over the last 30 years, but we are viable, needed, and important in this community,” Petty said. GN
Need a library card? Want to dive into genealogy, watch a movie, or listen to an audiobook? All of these and more are available free online at www.sbcplibrary.org.
