About Us

Hours & Directions | Demopolis Public Library Board of Trustees | Board Members
Library Policies | Demopolis Public Library History

 

Hours & Directions

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

: 9 – 6:30
: 9 – 5:30
: 9 – 12
: 9 – 5:30
: 9 – 5:30
: 9 – 12

From I20/59 :
About 30 miles south of Tuscaloosa, you will take the Eutaw exit.  Follow the signs to Highway 43 South.   You will travel approximately 25 miles.  Once in Demopolis, at the 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Washington Street.  After you cross Strawberry Street, you will see an entrance to a parking lot on Washington on your left.  Park in this lot and enter through the door with the blue awning. 

From Hwy 43 South :
At the intersection of Hwy 43 N and Hwy 80, turn left onto Hwy 80.  You will pass a variety of gas stations and hotels.  Just past CVS, turn right at the traffic light onto Cedar Street (also Hwy 43 N).  You will go through two traffic lights.  Just after you pass over the bridge over the railroad tracks, you will turn left at the traffic light onto Washington St.  We are the third building on the right.  Just past the front of the library is the entrance to the parking lot.  You may either park in the lot or on the street. 

From Hwy 80 East :
Once in Demopolis, you will pass a variety of gas stations and hotels.  Just past CVS, turn right at the traffic light onto Cedar Street (also Hwy 43 N).  You will go through two traffic lights.  Just after you pass over the bridge over the railroad tracks, you will turn left at the traffic light onto Washington St.  We are the third building on the right.  Just past the front of the library is the entrance to the parking lot.  You may either park in the lot or on the street. 

Demopolis Public Library Board of Trustees
The Demopolis Public Library Board of Trustees advocates the library and its services to the community, supervises the director of the library, and advises and guides the director in making decisions that promote the welfare and progress of the library.

Board meetings are held monthly at the Demopolis Public Library.  All meetings begin promptly at 5:15.

Monday December 17, 2007

Monday January 28, 2008

Monday February 25, 2008

Monday March 24, 2008

Monday April 28, 2008

Monday May 19, 2008

Monday June 23, 2008  

Board Members
Joyce Huizinga, Secretary
Appointment 7/05-7/09

Burnquetta Johnson
Appointment 7/03-7/07

Deborah Mitchell
Appointment 1/07-7/08

Betty McCants
Appointment 11/07-7/08

Buckner G. Webb, Chairman
Appointment 7/04-7/08

Melvin Yelverton, City Council Liaison
Appointed 2004

Library Policies

PDF – Still in progress

Demopolis Public Library History

Since its organization in 1922, the library has occupied several locations in Demopolis.  The library began has a room at city hall and was later moved to the building on Cedar Street currently owned by the Demopolis Board of Education.  By 1986, the library had outgrown its current space.  A survey of other existing buildings was made.  Seven possible sites were suggested, but the Ulmer Furniture Building was recommended. This building was located downtown, offered a flexible interior, would provide a two-story library, and had good parking areas available, as well as having been built to handle heavy materials. 

The building was built in 1926 by the Ulmer family. On December 14, 1987, the city used $75,000 of federal revenue sharing money to purchase the building.  Education bond money of $97,272 was designated for use, matched by $23,728 in city funds.  On December 4, 1989, the library moved into its newly renovated location.  At a breakfast August 13, 1991 honoring fund raisers, the city council and Mayor Austin Caldwell announced that the note of the library for $750,000 had been paid in full.  This money was largely raised through committee work and private donations. 

In October 1997, the library received a major grant from the Gates Library Foundation, established by Bill and Melinda Gates.  The Demopolis Public Library was one of six in Alabama chosen to receive the first grants from the Foundation.  The $33,000 grant provided a computer training center with eight workstations, software, and audio-visual equipment. Actually, Demopolis became the first location to be activated.  On February 17, 1998, the Demopolis Public Library hosted a reception honoring Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gates as they began a tour of several Alabama libraries receiving their grants.  Press from Washington D. C. to Washington state arrived in Demopolis to cover the event. 

In July 2002, faster, more functional computers purchased with private donations replaced the Gates computers.  Our computers are currently used an average of 500 times per month, largely for accessing the Internet.  The library offers computer classes for beginners throughout the year in the computer training center.

The library currently houses about 25,000 items including books, magazines, videos, DVDs, audio books on cassette and CD, genealogical materials, and a comprehensive local history collection.  The materials are selected to encourage life-long learning and leisure reading for all ages.

In February 2006, the second floor of the library opened as the new children’s area.  A new circulation desk and a staff workroom were constructed.  The Gates Foundation donated six new computers.  Amos Kennedy hand printed all of the signage.  Kirk Brooker painted the murals. Alabama Power Service Organization,  The Friends of the Library, the City of Demopolis, the Marengo County Commission,  and many individuals contributed to the effort.