Our Mission

For many years the mission of the Obion County Public Library has been to enrich the lives of the citizens of Obion County by providing them with a wide range of meaningful library materials and by offering helpful programs designed to meet the needs of specific groups of patrons. We continue our commitment, not only to continue in this mission, but also to make our Library an increasingly significant and relevant part of the lives of our patrons.  To that end we will:

• Assemble, organize, preserve and make easily available materials that will provide information, education and recreation for the citizens of the community.

• Keep our patrons fully aware of the many services and materials we provide.

• Be aware of the changing needs of the people of our county and acquire materials to assist them in meeting those changes.

• Provide the people of our county the best materials and services possible within the limits imposed by our budget.

Our Location

We are located at 1221 East Reelfoot Avenue in Union City, Tennessee in Obion County.  For directions and map to the Library, Click Here.  Our phone number is 731.885.7000.

Our History

In 1887, a group met to discuss a public library and the name selected was "Union City Library Association".  The first year was deemed very successful as the number of patrons visiting the reading room sometimes reached 35 per day.

On April 3, 1914, the Carnegie Public Library was dedicated.  That building has since been torn down, but a photograph of it currently hangs in the Obion County Museum.

The year 1939 saw the organization of the Obion County Library Association by the Obion County Better Home and Family Life Program.  This library was first located in the County School Superintendent's Office and consisted of 3 shelves and 36 volumes.

The County Court appointed a Board of Directors in 1945 and the library was reopened in a room of the courthouse, which was shared with the Highway Department.  The library remained in the courthouse when a portion of the Union City Clinic was leased and renovated for library use.

The drive for a new facility was initiated in 1966.  This library was built in 1967 and was located on 710 South First Street and was 6,300 square feet.  It was designed to hold a maximum of 21,000 volumes and provided parking for 16 patrons. 

Our new 30,000 square foot facility opened November 16, 2003 and is designed to hold a maximum of 110,000 volumes, and is equipped with 26 public access computers.  It also features a Children's Room and the Tennessee room for history/genealogy.  A walking track and amphitheatre in the back of the library are available for use and enjoyment to the public.

At present, your new Obion County Public Library  is packed with approximately 70,000 print and non-print items.  This is the largest public collection in West Tennessee outside of Jackson and Memphis.  We are serving approximately 33,000 people in our county.  And we look forward to serving you.