Cowan Branch Library:
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Located at Cowan Center for the Arts
Training Center Building 303 Montgomery Street, Cowan, TN 37318 One block behind City Hall Carter Smith, town librarian Open Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m. Closed on most Federal holidays Cowan Branch Library is a community asset we invite you to take advantage of and enjoy. The library features 1,500 volumes with everything from non-fiction to fiction, children's books to research aids, and from local authors to local history collections. Every three months the library circulates 75 volumes through the Franklin County Library system so that we always have something new and interesting to read. Book check-outs require filling out an information card with your contact information. Fees apply for books returned past the due date. |
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The History of Cowan Library
By L. Jarod Pearson
The first Cowan library was a “Lending Library” established inside the Cowan Post Office in 1930. There's no record of how many volumes the library had, but Mrs. Myra Evans remembered that an average circulation of 30 books each month. The self-service library was maintained by volunteers and never had a problem with missing books or late returns.
In 1946 or 1947 the library expanded and moved to the balcony of the Cowan Mercantile Co. When the Scout House was built in the 1950’s the library relocated in a small section of the building. By this time the library had grown to more than 200 books and about 150 readers. As in the past, it was staffed by volunteers taking individual shifts.
A bizarre accident at the Scout House occurred in 1966 when a vehicle crashed through the Scout House building and did extensive damage. Soon after the incident the books were moved to Cowan City Hall, which at that time was located in the front section of the Genesco Building (that we know today as Monterey Station). Two years later the books were moved to a separate upstairs room in the same building and remained there for nearly two decades. In this time frame, the library joined the Highland Rim Regional Library system and the volume grew to 2,120 books with a monthly circulation of about 200.
In 1979 a new industrial tenant moved into the Genesco building and made the property less desirable for a library. In 1986 the library moved into the former Myers Antiques storefront on East Cumberland Street. In the early-1990's the City acquired the former Modern Beauty Shop building on Tennessee Avenue next door to City Hall. This location was remodeled primarily for the police department while allotting a reasonable space for the library.
The location on Tennessee Avenue was intended to be long-term term, but then the City received the former Regions Bank building as a donation for a new City Hall. The library relocated temporarily to the vault space until a new building could be constructed. In 1999 the police department and library moved into the newly constructed metal frame building on Monterey Street next door the fire department.
An old Texaco building downtown was converted into a museum and Welcome Center in 2006. The library moved into that space and remained there for nearly nine years. In this time frame, the library grew in popularity. Sadly, the Highland Rim Library System was dissolved and disbanded by the Tennessee Secretary of State office. There was some concern that the Cowan Branch Library would dissolve also, but the local librarian found a quick solution. The former Highland Rim trustees donated the entire remaining volume of books to the City of Cowan. Meanwhile, the Franklin County Library in Winchester put together a circulation plan to keep the Cowan library serviced with new volumes on a regular basis.
In 2015, Cowan Branch Library relocated to Cowan Center for the Arts. This location gives students in arts classes and in the Adult Education program direct access to the library and provides more space for programs, such as summer reading.
With over eight decades of service to the community, Cowan Library is a real asset to the people of Cowan. We encourage our residents to visit the library and take advantage of what it offers.
By L. Jarod Pearson
The first Cowan library was a “Lending Library” established inside the Cowan Post Office in 1930. There's no record of how many volumes the library had, but Mrs. Myra Evans remembered that an average circulation of 30 books each month. The self-service library was maintained by volunteers and never had a problem with missing books or late returns.
In 1946 or 1947 the library expanded and moved to the balcony of the Cowan Mercantile Co. When the Scout House was built in the 1950’s the library relocated in a small section of the building. By this time the library had grown to more than 200 books and about 150 readers. As in the past, it was staffed by volunteers taking individual shifts.
A bizarre accident at the Scout House occurred in 1966 when a vehicle crashed through the Scout House building and did extensive damage. Soon after the incident the books were moved to Cowan City Hall, which at that time was located in the front section of the Genesco Building (that we know today as Monterey Station). Two years later the books were moved to a separate upstairs room in the same building and remained there for nearly two decades. In this time frame, the library joined the Highland Rim Regional Library system and the volume grew to 2,120 books with a monthly circulation of about 200.
In 1979 a new industrial tenant moved into the Genesco building and made the property less desirable for a library. In 1986 the library moved into the former Myers Antiques storefront on East Cumberland Street. In the early-1990's the City acquired the former Modern Beauty Shop building on Tennessee Avenue next door to City Hall. This location was remodeled primarily for the police department while allotting a reasonable space for the library.
The location on Tennessee Avenue was intended to be long-term term, but then the City received the former Regions Bank building as a donation for a new City Hall. The library relocated temporarily to the vault space until a new building could be constructed. In 1999 the police department and library moved into the newly constructed metal frame building on Monterey Street next door the fire department.
An old Texaco building downtown was converted into a museum and Welcome Center in 2006. The library moved into that space and remained there for nearly nine years. In this time frame, the library grew in popularity. Sadly, the Highland Rim Library System was dissolved and disbanded by the Tennessee Secretary of State office. There was some concern that the Cowan Branch Library would dissolve also, but the local librarian found a quick solution. The former Highland Rim trustees donated the entire remaining volume of books to the City of Cowan. Meanwhile, the Franklin County Library in Winchester put together a circulation plan to keep the Cowan library serviced with new volumes on a regular basis.
In 2015, Cowan Branch Library relocated to Cowan Center for the Arts. This location gives students in arts classes and in the Adult Education program direct access to the library and provides more space for programs, such as summer reading.
With over eight decades of service to the community, Cowan Library is a real asset to the people of Cowan. We encourage our residents to visit the library and take advantage of what it offers.
