Skip to main content
Jefferson County LibraryArnold·Cedar Hill·Northwest·Windsor
CatalogeContentGet Your Library Card
Today
Open now · Mon–Thu 9 AM–8 PM · Fri–Sat 9 AM–5 PM Fine free since 2021 All branches closed Wed, Nov 11 · Veterans' Day
About

Mission & History

Jefferson County Library District was established on November 23, 1981, and began library operations in 1989.

Jefferson County Library: your place to learn, connect, grow, and achieve.Our mission

Our story

1981On November 23, the Jefferson County Commission creates the library district, and five citizens are appointed as its first Board of Trustees.
1989Library operations begin after voters in the Northwest and Fox-Windsor subdistricts approve a 20¢ levy.
1991In June, Northwest opens in a High Ridge Plaza storefront and Fox-Arnold in the lower level of Arnold City Hall. A small bookmobile also serves patrons.
1998In June, Windsor opens on Metropolitan Boulevard in Barnhart — the first building owned by the district.
2002In January, the library catalog goes online.
2005The new Arnold Branch opens in May at 1701 Missouri State Road, and the new Northwest Branch in October at 5680 State Road PP.
2010The Jefferson County Library Foundation is established, and Northwest and Arnold begin accepting passport applications.
2011Self-checkout stations arrive at all three branches.
2012eBooks and eAudiobooks arrive through OverDrive (Missouri Libraries 2 Go), and notary service starts at all three branches.
2016Windsor begins accepting passport applications.
2017Voters approve the first levy increase since 1989 — adding the Library of Things, from cake pans and instruments to telescopes and WiFi hotspots.
2021JCL goes fine free on June 16.

Governance

The library is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the County Executive with the approval of the County Council. The Board administers the active library sub-districts, and the Library Director, employed by the Board, is the library's chief executive officer. Meet the Board →

Community support

Each branch has its own Friends of the Library group, whose volunteers promote the library and raise funds for branch programs and needs. The Jefferson County Genealogical Society supports our Genealogy & Local History Collection.

The Jefferson County Library Foundation, established in 2010, raises funds for system-wide technology, community outreach and staff technology training, and manages the Library for the Future Endowment Fund. Besides individual and corporate gifts, it has received grants from the Enterprise Foundation, the Jefferson Memorial Community Foundation, the Monsanto Fund and the Walmart Foundation.

Services through the years

The library has been automated since the start, and has always focused on collections and services for children and teens, seniors and local businesses. Favorite services include delivery to homebound patrons, computer classes and genealogy and local history programs in the Della Lang Local History & Genealogy Room at the Northwest Branch.

JCL is part of the Missouri Evergreen consortium, which gives cardholders access to millions of items from participating libraries.

More in About

About overview →
Hours & LocationsFour branches, one cardFAQsQuick answers to common questionsStaff DirectoryWho to contact at each branchEmployment & VolunteeringWork or volunteer with JCLLibrary BoardMeetings, agendas and minutesReportsAnnual and audited financial reportsRequests for ProposalsCurrent bid opportunitiesLibrary Policies & GuidelinesEvery policy, in plain, accessible text

Questions? We're here to help.

Call any branch Monday–Saturday, or send us a message.

Hours & LocationsContact Us