The West Jefferson Library was established in 1913 by the Domestic Science Club
and Harmony Club of West Jefferson.  It was located in two small rooms in the
Jefferson Town Hall on Main Street.  Library services were limited by the cramped
confines of the physical facility.

In 1987, a new library on Lilly Chapel began to take shape.  Land was donated by
the Hurt family.  Funds were donated by Battelle Memorial Institute.  A lot of
hard work from Friends of the Library, David Picken, the Board of Trustees
and the staff all made the new West Jefferson Public Library possible.  The library
was dedicated on June 4, 1988 and officially renamed the Hurt/Battelle Memorial
Library of West Jefferson in July 1994.

With the new space, the Library's services also expanded to include special programs
and services for children, care givers, teachers and adults.  The new facility includes
a community room with kitchen, a computer center and much larger, more diverse
collection of materials and services including access to the Internet and World Wide
Web. 

In 1998, the Library Board of Trustees determined that the Library should be
expanded to meet the growing needs of the community.  The construction, which
doubled the size of the Library, was completed in May of 2001.  The newly expanded
and renovated Library was dedicated July 28, 2001.

The Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library is a school district library serving the residents
of the Jefferson Local School system as well as many residents of the State of Ohio. 
It is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees and each member is selected
by the School Board.  The Library is dedicated to providing the latest materials and
services available and will continue to evolve its service to the community.

There are 4 full time and 7 part time staff members at the Library.  The Library
currently owns approximately 60,000 items and has access to materials through
numerous other libraries in Ohio. 

The overall budget of operating money in 2008 is approximately $467,000.  The
materials budget is approximately $25,000.  A $35,000 grant from Battelle was
given to the Library in 2008 to maintain our computers.