Murphy Public Library

The Murphy Carnegie Library was built in 1919 through the efforts of the Murphy Women’s Club and opened in April 1922. As construction on the TVA’s various projects began in Graham, Cherokee, and Clay counties, the Murphy Library Board was contracted to provide library services for workers.  When the TVA contract concluded as the Hiwassee Dam neared completion, local library leaders successfully campaigned for tax support, which was approved on November 5, 1940. Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties came together to create the Nantahala Regional Library as you know it today.

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In 1971, with the retirement of long-time librarian Miss Josephine Heighway, a Federal Aid application was submitted in the hopes of relocating the library to a new building. It wouldn’t be until 1976 that the new building would be opened to the public, leading to a dramatic increase in library use. This building still acts as our location today, with the Regional Library office being housed above.

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In the modern day, Murphy has expanded beyond books. We provide DVDs, free internet services, audio books, eBooks, and various printing services. As technology has evolved, so have we! It’s always our number one goal to continue evolving as patron needs shift.