About Us

Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) is comprised of six branches and a Bookmobile, serving the Greater Rutherford County community. RCLS receives funding from three cities (Eagleville, Murfreesboro, and Smyrna) and Rutherford County, though governed by the Rutherford County Library Board.

Rita Shacklett is the Rutherford County Library System Director of Libraries and is appointed by the Rutherford County Library Board. 

You can contact her at 615-962-7424, ext 3904. Email

Administration and Technical Services are located at:

1127B Dow Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Empowering communities to explore, imagine and engage.

Linebaugh General Information Questions: linref@rclstn.org

Smyrna General Information Questions: sjones@rclstn.org

Genealogy/Historical Research: hrc@rclstn.org

Problems with the RCLS website: webmaster@rclstn.org

Technical Support: krobertson@rclstn.org

For questions about your account (fines, renewals, etc) please call your local branch or log into your Online Account

GET A LIBRARY CARD? Getting a card is free and easy for area residents. All we need is a photo id and proof of address. Also ask about our temporary cards for new residents and online-only e-cards which you can sign up for on this site!

GET AN ECARD? (Good for online and digital materials only) Sign up TODAY to get started with an e-card which gives you access to all our audiobooks, ebooks, and all online resources! You can always come into one of our branches later to upgrade to a full-service card for free!.

RENEW MY BOOKS AND MATERIALS? Follow this link to login to the library's online catalog to check your due dates. Most items will be automatically renewed if there are no holds. If you need to extend a due date, please call your local branch library to get an extention. 

PAY FEES ONLINE? Follow this link to login to the library online catalog and review and/or pay outstanding fees. If you have any questions about your account, please call or visit your local branch.

RESERVE A ROOM?  You can book a small meeting room, board room, multi-purpose room or recording studio at four of our six branches. Recording studio time is also available and all rooms are offered on a first come, first served basis. Some restrictions for use apply. Please contact us directly for further details regarding corporate usage and special bookings.

FIND AN EVENT OR COMPUTER CLASS?  The full calendar is in the drop-down menu under programs. Events can be filtered by date, type or location. 

LOGIN TO MY ACCOUNT?  You can login through the website portal to see your library account activity plus any room or event registrations. Or, you can visit the online catalog for your library information only.

PLACE A HOLD? Search for an item in the online catalog or our mobile app and place a hold for it using your library card number. Once the item is available, you will receive either an email or phone call which says you have four days to pick up your item at the specified branch location.

FIND MY NEAREST BRANCH?  Rutherford County Library System has five locations and a bookmobile  to serve you!

RENEW MY LIBRARY CARD? Email renewals@rclstn.org to confirm current mailing address and phone number or call your local branch. This is done every three years to keep accounts up-to-date.

 ACCESS CLOUD PRINTING?  This service is currently available at the Linebaugh, Smyrna, and TEC branches. Fill out the form for the appropriate branch and your print will be ready for you to pick up. Prints are held for 3 days and regular printing costs apply.

• For Linebaugh cloud printing, follow this link.
• For Smyrna cloud printing, follow this link.
• For TEC cloud printing, follow this link.

"It is a sad commentary that a city of schools such as Murfreesboro, a city supposedly of education, knowledge, culture and breeding, should have no public library" began Rutherford Courier Editor, Robert Lasseter's column on January 27, 1942. His efforts were instrumental in the creation of the library system that we know today. Henry T. Linebaugh, a Florida resident, and Murfreesboro native read the column and was inspired to make a $5,000 donation toward the creation of a public library in his hometown. His only stipulation was that it be named for his mother, Mattie V. Linebaugh. The Linebaugh Public Library was established in the winter of 1947 and formally opened on April 1, 1948, in the old Hale Home at Central Memorial Park with Myla Parsons as the librarian.

The library collection began with slightly over 6,000 volumes of materials from Rutherford County schools, some purchased items, books on loan from the regional library, a few donations, and a $50 per month budget for books. The circulation for 1948 was over 40,000 books, including distribution to the schools, deposit stations in outlying areas, and over 1,200 borrowers.

In May of 1950, the library received a bequest of approximately $30,000 from another Murfreesboro native, Emma Weitzel. This gift enabled the library to purchase the old Elk's Club building on Spring Street, opening at this new location on September 9, 1953. By 1960, Linebaugh Library expanded to include a branch in Smyrna that was housed in two rooms of a local residence. It opened on October 17 with Jimmie Webster as the first librarian.

In less than ten years, Linebaugh had once more outgrown its existing location. During the summer of 1961, the General Services Administration (GSA) released the deed of the old Post Office building at 102 West College Street to Murfreesboro and Rutherford County governments to be handed over to the Linebaugh Library Board. In August 1962, the library opened on West College Street with a new librarian, Briley Adcock. It was here that the library card system with an individual card for each patron was established.

Over the next few years, both the Murfreesboro and Smyrna locations required larger facilities. A new structure was erected for Smyrna on Walnut Street adjacent to the local primary and middle schools opening on April 19, 1970. For Murfreesboro, an $81,000.00 addition to the Old Post Office building was constructed, and the new expansion was dedicated in April 1971. The new addition allowed the library to remain in the Old Post Office facility for an additional 15 years before the available space became insufficient. In 1987, plans began for a new building with the Christy-Houston Foundation giving the library a grant of 1.5 million dollars. The new location of Linebaugh Library at 105 West Vine Street in the Civic Plaza, a 34,000 sq. Ft. facility, was opened on June 15, 1992.

After more than 30 years of service, Mrs. Adcock retired in the winter of 1993, and Rita Shacklett stepped in as acting director. In the spring of 1995, the library hired a new director, Laurel Best. Also in 1995, the library implemented its first automated catalog system, E.L.L.I.S. (Electronic Linebaugh Library Information System).

The Smyrna branch opened in a new facility of 22,500 sq. Ft. on November 8, 1999. On November 23, 1999, the library system introduced its new computer catalog WebCat, a Sirsi Unicorn product, and several months later received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation providing public-use computers for Linebaugh and the Smyrna branch.

In July of 2003, the Friends of Linebaugh Library purchased a used Bookmobile from the State of Tennessee after the Highland Rim Regional Library lost funding for their program. Having had great success with the program, the Linebaugh Library Foundation bought a new Bookmobile in November of 2005 and commissioned the exterior graphics to be done by local artist Norris Hall, celebrating regional landmarks.

The library has experienced tremendous growth simultaneously with Rutherford County over the years. The budget, staff, and resources have multiplied many times over endeavoring to keep pace with the needs of the community. In ensuing years, new locations were added in Murfreesboro and Eagleville. The Myrtle Glanton Lord Library (MGL), located in the community center at Patterson Park and named for the longtime educator, opened as part of LPLS on December 1, 2004, and on January 1, 2006, the operation of the Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library was assumed by LPLS. In late 2005, library master facilities planners Dubberly Garcia Associates, Inc. implemented a planning study for the Linebaugh Public Library System. The result of this study, along with population growth projections, input from City and County government and community focus groups, helped determine that the library system needs to increase in size and locations to handle current demographic trends.

Linebaugh was named the public library recipient of the School Library Journal/Thomson Gale 2006 Giant Step Award for the most improved library in the nation and was given a $5,000 award.

Laurel Best left in June of 2008 to take a director's position in Huntsville, Alabama. While the library board pursued a nationwide search for a replacement, Rita Shacklett filled in as the interim director. Ms. Shacklett was chosen in December 2008 to be the new director. She has served the library system since 1975 and had been the assistant director since 1985.

In 2017, a groundbreaking was held for the Technology Engagement Center (TEC), which would be one of the first "bookless" libraries in Tennessee. The TEC would service the needs of individuals and families who do not have internet access in their homes, as well as provide meeting space for individuals and businesses. 

To better reflect the growth and changing services of our libraries, the Library Board voted in October 2017 to change the name of Linebaugh Public Library System to Rutherford County Library System.

RCLS Director Rita Shacklett and Rutherford County Archivist John Lodl began talking about combining the Linebaugh Historical Research Room and the Archive almost fifteen years before it became a real possibility. When Murfreesboro's new judicial building was constructed, the archive was enlarged to provide space for additional records. That expansion created enough room to accommodate the library's historical collection. In August 2021, the library's newest branch, the Historical Research Center (HRC), opened at the Archives. Longtime Linebaugh employee Lisa Ramsay moved to the HRC to supervise the collection, followed by Kayla Howard in July 2023 after Lisa's retirement.

After 75 years of providing service, the library has undoubtedly exceeded the dreams of Robert Lasseter. His belief that "books are the route to knowledge" helped ignite the community interest in a public library, and the Rutherford County Library System will continue striving to meet the challenge of providing ever evolving free resources for the citizens of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. 

RCLS is a governmental non-profit agency [509(a)(3), Type I] funded by Rutherford County and the Cities of Eagleville, Murfreesboro and Smyrna. All employees are governed by The Board of Directors of Rutherford County Library System and are not part of any city or county government.

The Board of Directors of Rutherford County Library System consists of eleven (11) members, four (4) of whom are appointed by the City Council of Murfreesboro, and four (4) of whom are appointed by the County Commission of Rutherford County, two (2) of who are appointed by the Smyrna Town Council, and one (1) appointed by the Eagleville City Council. The members shall serve without salary for a three (3) year term and no more two (2) successive terms. 

The Board of Directors typically meets on the third Monday of each month at 5 p.m. with the exception of February, May, and December. Meetings are held in the Linebaugh (Main Branch) Conference Room on the 2nd Floor and also at other branches of the Rutherford County Library System. Please check the calendar at rclstn.org to find the current month's meeting site.

No January Meeting
Monday, February 6 (Linebaugh)
Monday, March 20 (MGL)
Monday, April 17 (Smyrna)
No May Meeting
Monday, June 5 (Linebaugh)
Monday, July 17 (TEC)
Monday, August 28 (Eagleville)
Monday, September 18 (MGL)
Monday, October 16 (Smyrna)
No November Meeting
Monday, December 4 (Linebaugh)

Please click HERE for the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Rutherford County Library System Board.

Please click HERE for archived RCLS Agenda

Please click HERE for the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Rutherford County Library System Board of Directors.

Click HERE for archived copies of past meetings.

The July 17, 2023 meeting is in three parts due to the length of the meeting:

To get a library card...       ...Or... click on image to sign up for an eCard for online access only

• You must be an area resident with current photo ID and proof of address.
• Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian with a current ID.
• Parents may grant permission for children to checkout videos and to use the Internet.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately.
• Replacement cards are FREE.
• By accepting a library card, you are agreeing to follow the Library's rules and policies in exchange for access to the Library's collections and services. You are agreeing to accept responsibility for all materials charged to the card, including fees assessed to it.
• All library card information is updated every three years. Email, call, or come by your local branch to renew your card.
• In order for another adult to pick up holds and/or pay fees on your behalf, you must give written consent. Once consent is given, a note will be put in your account to allow them this access.

CONSENT FORM

• Items in high demand, Test Prep Books and Lucky 7 Books - 7 day loan period
• ALL other books and library materials - 14 day loan period
• Playaway User Agreement
• Items can be returned to any location or drop box in the Rutherford County Library System
• E-books are available through our website or app. Visit www.rclstn.org, click on Find Books or apps and follow the instructions.
• Items can be placed on hold through our Online Catalog.
• Unlimited checkouts for books and audiobooks, while a limited number of checkouts on other items may apply.

Click here to view your account

• RCLS offers a two-time courtesy auto renew on most materials if there are no holds on the item.
• 2 renewals per item (if there are no holds). Test Prep books and Steam Kits are 1 renewal only.
• If you have questions about any of your items, please visit or call your local branch library.
• If your books are due and you are not finished, call us for help with renewing or extending your return date.

• As of July 1, 2022, the Rutherford County Library System no longer charges fines for overdues.
• Unpaid fees must be below $5.00 to check out new materials.
• Patron accounts will be blocked for checkouts and billed for lost items when materials are assumed lost, because they have not been returned by their latest due date.
• The account will be unblocked with the return of lost item(s) or the payment of the replacement cost.

Please click HERE for more information.

RCLS welcomes visitors and encourages them to use its resources. The Board also acknowledges the necessity to maintain an environment in which patrons and staff can be free from harassment, intimidation, threats to their safety and well-being and an environment which protects library resources and facilities from damage.These Rules of Conduct and related policies and procedures incorporate federal, state, and local laws which govern illegal behavior, the Library Bill of Rights (PM-103), the ALA Code of Ethics (PM-104), and the ALA's guidelines for the development of policies and procedures regarding user behavior and library usage (PM-107). The Rules of Conduct are to be courteously and firmly enforced.

To provide safeguards against such behavior and damage to property, RCLS has adopted the following Rules of Conduct, which specifies the type of activities or behavior that is not permitted on library premises.

p>17. Making threats or engaging in any other abusive behavior.
18. Consuming or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs.
19. Selling or attempting to sell alcohol or illicit drugs on library property.
20. Smoking, selling, or other uses of tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
21. Destroying or stealing property.
22. Possessing weapons of any type.
23. Partaking in indecent exposure or lewd sexual behavior.
24. Violating any other acts or conduct contrary to federal, state, and local laws.
25. Refusing to comply with library policies when informed by RCLS staff.
26. Any violation where law enforcement is involved will result in an extension of the earlier ban, including up to a permanent ban.

1. Behaving in any way that is disruptive to anyone’s use of the library.
2. Violating written Library policies, procedures, or guidelines.
3. Soliciting library patrons or staff for money, items, or services.
4. Eating in library facilities, except when and where permitted.
5. Loitering or sleeping.
6. Placing feet or legs on the furniture.
7. Dressing inappropriately for a public building including attire that does not sufficiently cover those parts of the body considered private; failing to wear shoes or a shirt inside a library building.
8. Emitting an offensive odor.
9. Using skates, skateboards and/or roller blades.
10. Using library materials, computers, and automated equipment for reasons other than their intended purpose.
11. Bringing animals or pets, other than clearly marked service animals.
12. Leaving children 12 years of age and under unsupervised or ignoring their disruptive behaviors.
13. Being in the library or leaving children in library facilities when facilities are closed to the public.
14. Misusing or inappropriate use of restrooms.
15. Bringing large items (including but not limited to packages, bags, or luggage) onto library premises that take up excessive space, without the prior approval of library personnel. Excessive space shall be defined as an item or group of items exceeding 2.5 ft. in length, or 2.5 ft. in width, or 2.5 ft. in height. EXCEPTION: Materials and/or equipment used in meetings, presentations, etc.
16. Leaving personal belongings unattended.

The Rutherford County Library System offers a wide variety of  ebook usage, DIY, coding, computer "soft skills", geneological research, personal device usage and special technology training classes.

All classes are free and open to the public. Visit the Calendar and filter by class to see the monthly list and locations. Classes are available at several RCLS branches and onlline.

Rutherford County Library System is always seeking volunteers to teach computer classes. Please contact Trey Gwinn at tgwinn@rclstn.org or 615-649-1358. Instructors: Ask about our TOP and GOOD NEIGHBOR GRANT grant programs.

You must have your library card with you to use a computer.

Your account should be current, have less than $5 in fines.

• You are limited to three 1-hour computer sessions per day (Linebaugh & Smyrna locations only). Otherwise, the limit is two 1-hour sessions.
• Printing costs $.15 for black and white or $.30 for color. Your first $.30 of printing each day is free.
• To print more than your free pages, you must add money to your print account. Please take your library card to a staff desk.
• If you leave your computer inactive for 5 minutes, your session will automatically end.
• If you need to leave your computer, you can "lock" the computer. This will keep your computer session active and will prevent other people from getting on the computer during your session. To do this, click the Lock button and enter a password of your choosing. Your session time will continue to count down, even when the computer is locked.
• Items saved to the computer cannot be retrieved once your session ends. If you need to save an item, you should save it to a flash drive or burn a CD.
• There is no food or drink in the computer area.
• Please take all cell phone calls outside of the computer area.

The Library makes the Internet accessible in accordance with its mission of providing access to information and resources to meet the needs of its constituency.

The Library is CIPA compliant and has blocking software on all Internet terminals. The blocking software, or filter, is not a perfect system and due to its technological limitations may allow sites that could be harmful to minors and may block access to constitutionally protected material on the Internet. The Library may allow access to blocked sites for adult patrons 18 and over upon request. Information on the Internet may be reliable and current, or it may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or unavailable. The Internet contains material that is controversial and inappropriate for children. Library users access the Internet at their own discretion.

Parents/legal guardians assume responsibility for anything their children may access on the Internet. The Library is not responsible if children violate Library and parental rules. The Library's computers are not under constant employee supervision.

Use of the Library computers and the Internet for any purpose that violates federal, state or local laws is prohibited, including:

• Accessing obscenity and or child pornography
• Propagation of computer worms and viruses 
• Attempting to breach the Library network and other networks via the Internet 
• Transfer or use of copyrighted materials without explicit consent from the owner

Attempting to modify or delete software and data, or installing other software onto the Library computers is not permitted, and will be subject to a revoking of privileges.

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and violation of the Internet Usage Policy will result in a cancellation of this privilege.

3D Printing - Visit the Technology Engagement Center to learn more about 3D printing. 3D printers are available on a first come-first served basis and should be used for educational, protoyping and exhibition purposes only. Please review the 3D printing usage policy before use. Patrons wishing to freely use 3D printers must attend a one-time, brief orientation class on the care and maintenence of the machines. RCLS 3D printers are not intended for full-production use (ie, printing multiple copies of an item for commercial resale). Certain items are resticted from being printed (ie, weapons). RCLS printers can print in PLA and ABS plastic, thought PLA is preferred for best results. Scrap and end-roll supplies of 3D filiment are available but patrons are strongly encouraged to purchase their own filament for large or color-specific projects.

A Glowforge Pro Laser Cutter/Engraver is available at the TEC. This machine also requires an one-time orientation for use by patrons and follows the same restrictions regarding items and commercial use. You will need to provide your own laser compatible materials. Email us with any questions and to schedule your orientation!

Raspberry Pi mini computers and Arduino microcontrollers are available upon request to experiment with. Classes and instructional demonstrations are periodically available. Special Raspberry Pi classes and activities may be available for reserved classtime and/or group activities (Girls Who Code, Girls Scouts, 4H, etc).

Free Community Wireless access is available at all RCLS locations and throughout Patterson Community Center.

Due to the variety of hardware/software configurations, we cannot provide technical support; however, we do provide some guidance below. For additional help, check your computer's documentation or look under Windows Help.

The Wifi network name for the nearest branch is the name of the branch location. After connecting to the network, attempt to access a website in your favorite browser and you will be redirected to a click-thru start page which gives you a 6-hour lease of internet access which can be renewed indefinitely. 

Wireless access is available within approximately a 10 foot radius of any branch building, porches or patios. Outdoor access is generally available at the Technology Enegegment Center patio, Eagleville Bicentennial Library parking lot, and parts of the City Plaza in Murfreesboro.

RCLS does not use encryption on the wireless network. Although we have taken measures to secure the network, it is not foolproof. As such, wireless users are advised not to transmit any sensitive information. The library makes no guarantee on the security of information transmitted, and the decision of whether to transmit sensitive data is at the user's discretion. Further, it is the responsibility of the patron to protect their own computers from potential compromise by keeping their software up to date with the latest security patches, using a personal firewall, etc.

The Rutherford County Library System welcomes volunteers and community service workers at many of its branches. We need capable, motivated people to help with shelving, shelf reading, straightening items, and other tasks.

If you are interested in volunteering at either the Linebaugh or Smyrna branches, please fill out the online application and either Shasta Howe at Linebaugh or Stephanie Jones at Smyrna will be in touch. All arrangements and scheduling should be done by the volunteer themselves, regardless of age or circumstance.

MGL Library at Patterson Park and Eagleville are not taking volunteers at this time.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Smyrna Public Library. This section is intended for Teen Volunteers ages 13-17 

We are accepting applications forSummer Teen Volunteers for June-July. Please fill out this form: Summer Teen Volunteer Form 

 If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Smyrna Youth Services at smyrnays@rclstn.org.

(if you are 18+, please contact Stephanie Jones at sjones@rclstn.org or Al Brittain at abrittain@rclstn.org)

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Linebaugh Public Library. This application is intended for Teen Volunteers ages 13-18 who are seeking volunteer hours for school or club credit. The fall volunteer season will run from September through December. Click here to fill out the volunteer application. Please allow up to 48 business hours after submission for us to contact you. If you have any questions, please email Katie at kturner@rclstn.org.

(If you are 18+ or are seeking court-ordered volunteer hours, please contact Shasta Howe at showe@rclstn.org.)

Rutherford County Library System is always seeking volunteers to teach computer classes at our various locations.

For more information, please contact: Trey Gwinn at tgwinn@rclstn.org or 615-649-1358.

The Friends of Linebaugh Library has a community outreach volunteer program. Persons interested in volunteering for events should fill out the Volunteer Form.