100 Years in the Making: Our History

Our History:

The Greenville County Library System traces its roots to a vacant store room on East Coffee Street featuring some 500 volumes. In 1921, local businessman, philanthropist, and textile magnet, Thomas F. Parker garnered enough community support to create Greenville's public library, and became its first Chairman of the Board.

On October 10, 1923, a new library service was unveiled to the public. Known as the Pathfinder, this truck loaded up with library materials available for checkout was the first ever bookmobile in the South. Created to meet the needs of Greenville County's mill communities, the Pathfinder began providing service to the Parker District in January of 1924. A Library System Bookmobile has been on the road for over 97 years with many vehicle iterations along the way.

Today, the Library System features 12 locations throughout Greenville County as well as a Bookmobile which makes stops at several locations in mostly rural areas delivering books and fond memories.

Reference Librarian, Main Library, 1940s

Book menders, Main Library, 1954

Langdon Cheeves Memorial Library in Mauldin, 1960s

Listening to vinyl record albums, Main Library, 1971

Simpsonville Branch, 1997

Summer Reading event, Five Forks Branch, 2018