About Us
The McDowell County Public Library is a department within McDowell County Government. We currently have two library locations that serve the county, one in the city of Marion and the other in the town of Old Fort. Please visit our History page if you would like to learn how the library was formed.
Library Director: Marlan Brinkley, Jr.
Mission
Engaging communities by providing access to resources and opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
Vision
Welcoming all to a destination for learning, inspiration, and enjoyment.
Values
- Community-centered
- Inviting
- Learning
- Responsive
- Accessible
Strategic Goals
- Improve Access and Usability through Programming, Resources, & Outreach
- Align the Library’s Facilities to the Community Needs
- Increase Investment and Support for Staff to Ensure the Library’s Viability
- Expand Community Awareness & Engagement with the Library
Joining the Library
Your first step is to get a library card. With your card, you will have access to over 5.1 million free books, movies, music, and audio books through NC Cardinal. Your card also grants you access to McDowell County Public Library’s downloadable books and audio books.
Check Out Materials
You can check out up to 99 items in total. Please review our check out policy to see which items you can check out and for how long.
Other services include:
Scanning and Emailing Documents
Free!
Fax
$1.00 per page for long distance
.50 cents per page for local numbers.
Fax numbers
Marion Library: 828-652-2098
Old Fort Library:828-668-1758
Internet Access
Free wi-fi and computer stations are available for (2) one hour sessions.
Printouts
.25 cents per page.
Photocopier
.25 cents per page.
Meeting Rooms are available at both libraries for use by cultural, civic, or community organizations.