The Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) is excited to announce a partnership with the Rutherford County Archives. RCLS Director of Libraries Rita Shacklett and Rutherford County Archivist John Lodl began work on a potential collaboration of the RCLS’s Historical Research Room (located in Linebaugh Public Library) and the Rutherford County Archives in 2008. With the building of the new judicial building, the County has recently expanded the archive facility to house additional records. After the expansion, talks were revisited about the “dream” to house both collections under the same roof. We are pleased to announce both the RCLS Board of Directors and the Rutherford County Commission have approved the venture for the creation of the Historical Research Center (HRC) to be housed at the Archives building at 435 Rice Street in Murfreesboro.

Linebaugh employee, Lisa Ramsay, will be moving along with the collection to run the new RCLS branch. This will allow for one-stop research since patrons are often referred to the Archives and vice versa. Many of the original documents RCLS has in print and digital format are located at the Archives. The Archives staff have specialized knowledge not only in researching local history and documents but the preservation of those documents while RCLS has not only the research knowledge but the expertise to catalog and organize the materials giving those who visit the best of both worlds. 

The current Historical Research Room at Linebaugh Public Library will be closed to the public beginning Monday, July 26, 2021, to prepare for the move. Materials will be made available again as soon as possible after the move during the first two weeks of August.  Hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An open house will be planned for some time in September to celebrate the addition to the Archives and the new partnership.