Library service began in Shelby County through WPA efforts in the late 1930s. The first library services were cooperative efforts between Shelby, Talladega and Coosa counties under the direction of Alabama Public Library Service. Out of these first partnerships to identify need, came the development of the first Shelby County Library.

The first meeting of the Shelby County Library Board was held September 28, 1940. The minutes of the meeting reported donations of $130 had been made to help start the library which was to be located on the second floor of the Courthouse. The Board of Revenues authorized a $1,000 appropriation for the new library.

The formal opening of the new library was held Friday, November 15, 1940. The guest speaker was Dr. A.F. Harman, President of Alabama College. Mrs. Mildred B. Harrison was hired as the first professional librarian. Mrs. Harrison went on to serve on the Alabama Public Library Service Executive Board and on the Harrison Regional Library Board for over 50 years.

When the County Library opened it had 9 small branch libraries plus the headquarters library. The branches were: Shelby, Pea Ridge, Vincent, Columbiana, Helena, Maylene, Calera, Wilsonville and Siluria. Each branch had initial collections of 100 books.

The headquarters library had several homes during the early years. It was housed in a storage room and an empty office in the Courthouse as well as in the recreation center in Columbiana. During the early years, the number of ‘branch’ libraries changed often. At one time, there were over 15 book deposits located in schools, businesses and even private homes. The County Library swapped books out to keep the collections fresh for readers.

In 1958, the County Library joined forces with St. Clair County to put a bookmobile on the road. The bookmobile traveled country roads in both counties serving schools and small communities. It was operated jointly by both counties under the supervision of the Alabama Public Library Service.

The first Shelby County Bookmobile was put into service in January, 1964. Soon the bookmobile service was expanded with the purchase of a station wagon to transport small numbers of books to areas not being reached by the bookmobile. The last bookmobile was taken off the road with the opening of the North Shelby Library in 1988.

Groundbreaking for a new home for the Shelby County Library was held in February of 1969. The building was renovated in the summer of 2000. Over the years many things have changed. In 1985, the Shelby County Library was officially renamed in honor of Mrs. Harrison. Now eleven member libraries make up the Harrison Regional Library System. The newest library is the Chelsea Library started in the spring of 2000.

Countywide circulation of materials has grown to over 730,000 annually. We have a combined database of over 320,000 materials and 68,000 library users. Sizes of individual libraries vary but no matter the size, every library provides its community with much needed, high-quality library service.

Since 1998, Shelby County libraries have experienced a tremendous growth in usage. Pelham, Alabaster, Helena, Columbiana and Harrison Regional Libraries have increased their space with renovation projects. Calera Library moved into a renovated building and has already had to add additional space. Vincent recently renovated their library giving it a ‘new again’ look. Montevallo Library is in a building process currently. The city of Wilsonville is developing plans to redo the city hall and included are plans for an entirely new library. Chelsea Library will have the second floor of the new city hall when it is completed. North Shelby moved into its new building in late summer 1999.