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The Stanly County Public Library and its branches are happenin’ places to be.
Albemarle is the main library and our branches are Locust, Oakboro, Norwood, Badin and, shhhh … a secret one. Read on to find out who our secret branch is.
To start, some fascinating facts about SCPL – for the entire library system, did you know we average about 14,868 items checked out per month, with almost a total of 100,000 books, audiobooks and DVDs?

Wait, there’s more! From January 2024 to January 2025, we’ve had 789 programs (both Adults and Children’s) with a total program attendance of 19,184. That averages out to roughly 24 people per program.
Let’s get to know our branches, starting with Albemarle, our main library and the “headquarters” for the system.
It is at Albemarle Main Library that the majority of programming occurs, with a large meeting room (available to rent), two study rooms and a learning lounge.
Here is where Sara Hahn, the library director, houses her office, along with Matthew Kelly, our IT librarian, Nicolle Hopkins, our Children’s Librarian, and Leah Oke, our Adult Services Librarian.
Albemarle has regular yoga classes, book clubs, children’s storytime, adult’s storytime, bingo, crafts, makerspace, sensory lab, monthly mental health talks, Mediterranean cooking classes, language classes and more.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get a complete list of programs and events. Also stop by the library to pick up a calendar for both Children’s and Adult’s programs.
Locust Branch Library is the first branch we’ll meet. Located in the Town Center of Locust at 186 Ray Kennedy Dr., it is managed by Karen Hartsell.
Locust Library has many activities; a knitting and crocheting club that meets every week, a book club that meets on the third Friday of every month, various craft classes, a storytime for children two Fridays a month, and Literacy on a Leash once a month, and more.
Call 704-888-0103 to get more information.
Following Locust Library is Norwood Library Branch, at 207 Pee Dee Ave. Norwood Library is managed by Lisa Davis.
Norwood is also a robust branch with many activities; NeedleBugs (needleworking) meet every Friday, children’s story/craft time twice a month, a monthly adult crafts time and a monthly book club.
Call 704-474-3625 for more information.
Next up is Oakboro Branch Library, at 214 South Main St., managed by Felicia Rogers.
Oakboro Library also boasts of a vibrant programming schedule; a teen book club on the first Monday of every month, drop-in card design for kids twice a week, and Literacy on a Leash once a month.
Call 704-485-4310 for more information.
After Oakboro Library is Badin Branch Library, located at 62 Pine St. Badin Library is managed by Treva Allmon.
Badin Library has an exciting storytime for children twice a month and crafts for adults once a month.
Call 704-422-3218 for more information.
And finally, drum roll, please, our “secret” branch … the Stanly County Museum and History Center, located at 157 North 2nd St. in Albemarle, which houses museum exhibits, the Margaret Johnston Heritage room and hosts children’s programs as well, called History Hunters, which follows Albemarle’s Children’s Storytime on Wednesdays.
Paul Morrison is the Library Special Collections coordinator and he oversees and manages the Margaret Johnson Heritage room. Megan Sullivan is the Museum Coordinator for the museum as well as the Snuggs House and Daniel Freeman House.
Call 704-986-3777 for more information.
Who knew that we had such a robust and vital library system?
Follow us on Facebook — @stanlycountylibrary — and Instagram — @stanlycountylibrary — for programming events and more.

Leah Oke is the adult services librarian at the Stanly County Public Library, 133 E. Main St., Albemarle.