About Us

Alecia Burns, Library Director

Shannon Hayes, Assistant Librarian

Heather Owens Desk Clerk

Our mission is to make available current, high-interest, popular, and educational materials in a variety of formats to meet the needs of Clay County Residents.

Library service to Clay County began as a result of a letter written to the State Library in the spring of 1959. As a result, the first Clay County Library was opened in September 1959, and was located on the public square in Celina, in a former grocery store with Anna Lee Fox as the first librarian. Selma Mayfield replaced Ms. Fox in 1961 for a brief time, followed by E. H. Wilkerson, who was appointed in November 1961.

In late November 1964, the library was moved into the Cordell Hull Law Office, followed by a move into Lester Brown's building on the square. In 1974, the county completed the building where the library is presently located, on Guffey Street, for a total cost of $78,935. In 1975, Louise Hayes was selected to be the new librarian, and held the position until 1996, when Judith Cutright took over the position upon the retirement of Ms. Hayes.

Alecia Burns is currently the Director of the Clay County Public Library.