Mission Statement

The mission of the Bedford Public Library System is to provide the adults and children of Bedford City and County with information and resources that support lifelong learning and lifelong enjoyment.

Vision Statement

The Bedford Public Library System will:

  • continue to serve the community by offering a broad range of services designed to foster the love of reading;

  • be the essential contact for all Bedford City and County residents, agencies and businesses in need of information;

  • serve as a gateway to a dynamic global network of information resources;

  • strive to locate and deliver information and resources efficiently, accurately and in a format requested by our customers; and

  • provide excellent customer service by a trained and committed staff.

History of the Bedford Public Library System

On November 30, 1900 a group of civic-minded women founded the "Women's Library Association of Bedford", starting with a two-room office building located on the present Bridge Street site of the Bedford Central Library. This modest library grew steadily over the next 100 years, and now serves as the headquarters of the Bedford Public Library System, a modern regional library serving Bedford City and County.

The library is the oldest publicly-supported, continuously operating public library in any of the communities surrounding Bedford County, and is one of the oldest public libraries in Virginia. From the beginning the library attracted a remarkable amount of usage and support from the progressive community it serves. Even through years of tight budgets and cramped quarters, the library maintained a reputation for excellence in customer service, quality of collections and children's programming and for usage by residents of the City and County.

Throughout the 1980's and 90's the library benefitted from cooperation between Bedford City and County in establishing a regional library, as well as from public/private funding partnerships. This regional cooperation and community support have made it possible to establish modern facilities, collections and services throughout the City and County.

Click here for a complete timeline.

BPLS in 1903 BPLS in 1941
circa 1903 circa 1941