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Our History

A group of citizens met September 7, 1967 to form the Cheatham County Library Board. Present were Glover Baker, chairman, James Dowlen, J. C. Balthrop, Judge Jimmy Lockert, Mrs. Julia Martin, and Mrs. Briggs. Discussions were held to purchase the shelving , book ends, and supplies with county appropriations. Eleven shelves had been ordered and 1200 books were ready to begin the library. On September 12,1967 the board had its first meeting with all members present . They were Judge Lockert, Sherry Hunter, Grace Albright, Glover Baker, J. C. Balthrop, Mickey Smith, Kenneth Dowlen, and Johnny Hagewood. Officers elected were as follows: Chairman Glover Baker, who served continually on the board until her death in 1994 and served as chairman twenty- three of those years, Vice Chairman Kenneth Dowlen, Secretary Grace Albright, and Treasurer Johnny Hagewood. At a following meeting on September 12, Jackie Strunk was hired as librarian at $250 per month. The library hours were set for five days a week with closing on Wednesday.

On October 7, 1967, the Cheatham Public Library opened its doors in an upstairs room of the Cheatham County Courthouse with one room and eight shelves. Parker Cashdollar checked out the first book entitled How the Millionaires Made Their Money. That first year the library circulated 4,616 books. Open house was held on November 19th and approximately 80 people attended.

In August 1976, four years later, the library relocated to a house on Elizabeth Street, known then as the Grey Palace, with a five year lease from the Board of Education Office in Ashland City. Strunk's tenure of thirteen years ended at that location. Jean Hill became the librarian and stayed for one year. Glenda Jacoway came on board in July 1981 and is the present director.

In December 1981 the library moved into a building previously owned by L. J. Matlock at 610 North Main Street. At this location Story Time, Summer Hour, and the Bookworms Book Club programs were begun. Also, the library was automated at this location in 1995 and a Friends of the Library organization was begun. The library resided there until April 2002 when it moved into a new facility at 188 County Service Dr. Suite 200 This building was financed by Cheatham County, constructed by KayDon Construction, designed by John Werne III, architect, and furnished by the Friends of the Library.