Linebaugh Library: 1962-1992
In 1961, the federal government sold the building to local officials. Understanding the site’s centralized location, the City of Murfreesboro leased the former post office to Linebaugh Library for one dollar per year. The conversion to a library significantly altered the building and the use of its interior spaces.
For thirty years, library employees empowered the citizens’ educational and intellectual development. Here, several generations of Murfreesboro discovered their love of reading. The children’s library would become the focal point of Murfreesboro’s new public library. In 1971, an $81,000 addition allowed the library to expand further in its current spot and stay at this location until 1992.
“When you walk through the doors, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, what color your skin is, what your walk in live is. You are treated the same and given the same access to information as anybody else.”
Rita Shacklett, Director of Linebaugh Library
Burney Tucker, Architect, c. 1980
Burney Tucker, a local architect, was hired by the county to redesign the building into a library. A few years later, he designed an addition to the building that enabled the library to stay at this site for another fifteen years.
A black and white photograph of architect Burney Tucker.
Courtesy of Greg Tucker
Books on Wheels
A black and white photograph of the original bookmobile.
Courtesy of Linebaugh Library
A color photograph of the current bookmobile.
Courtesy of Lane Tillner
What is community outreach? The bookmobile was both a symbol and a means for the library to reach out into the community. Visiting schools across Rutherford County, the bookmobile brought and retrieved books for those unable to access the library in person. The bookmobile is an integral part of the Linebaugh Library System’s civic engagement.
Queen Helen
Do you remember story time at the local library? Children’s librarian Helen Brown, known as “Queen Helen” for her creative costumes and vivid storytelling brought books to life. She was an integral part of the library’s educational outreach and loved by the children.
Card catalog
Do you remember card catalogs? Before computers, library information was housed in card catalogs. In 1995, ELLIS, the Electronic Linebaugh Library Information System, became the first automated catalog system, eventually replacing the paper system.
A series of three images depicting the development of technology in the library: Two images of people using the card catalog and one of a woman using the copy machine.
Courtesy of Linebaugh Library