Our Mission
The mission of the Harold D. Cooley Library is to provide materials and programs for the enrichment of our community by meeting their educational, cultural, recreational, and research needs. We serve as a clearinghouse of information for our community as well as using that information and technology to bridge the digital divide.

History
The women of Nashville’s civic clubs founded Cooley Library in 1942 and the Alston Street facility was built in 1971. The library was housed
in the Alston Street facility until extensive flooding forced it to move in July 2004. Since then, the library has been housed in a temporary location at 501 S. Barnes St., in the back of the Police Department. The Nashville Town Council has positively discussed the need for a new library and one is on the horizon. However, at this time,
it is unclear where the library will be located and when it will be built.

The library was dedicated to Congressman Harold Dunbar Cooley, a Nashville, North Carolina, native and a U.S. Congressman from 1934 until 1966. Mr. Cooley made extensive contributions to the field of agriculture by serving as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1949 to 1966. He was also instrumental in the nation’s farming program by his key role in the development of the Farmers Home Administration, the Soil Conservation Service, the Crop Insurance Program, the Tobacco Program as well as the Wheat and Cotton Programs, numerous farm bills, preparation and passage of soil conservation legislation, the Federal Crop Insurance Program, and the Food for Freedom Act. For his extensive contributions to farming and agriculture, the North Carolina Farm Bureau, the North Carolina State Grange, and the Progressive Farmer honored Mr. Cooley with Man of the Year Awards.

To get a card
You must be at least 16 years of age to receive a library card and live or work in Nash County. Children under the age of 16 may have their own card as long as a parent or legal guardian co-signs for them.

Collection
Cooley Library houses a collection of approximately 23,000 volumes. Our genealogy section has information on Nash and surrounding counties as well as some families in the area. In addition, we subscribe to various periodicals and newspapers covering all age groups and interests. We also have DVD's, videos and audios for both children and adults.

Loan Period/Renewals
The loan period for most materials is 2 weeks with 1 renewal. The exceptions would be magazines, DVD's, videos, and books classified as "new arrivals" which may be checked out for 7 days with no renewals.

Fines
The fine for overdue materials is .05/day per item for a maximum of $10.00
 

Computers
Cooley Library currently has 4 computers for public use which were made possible by a grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, thanks to a donation from Universal Leaf and the Altria Corporation, we will be adding 3 additional computers for the public. All computers are Internet enabled and are also loaded with word processing software. You must have your library card in order to use our computers. The computers may be reserved in 1 hour increments.