Where Every Inch Tells a Story: Norman’s Guinness-Recognized Library Stands Tall

In the heart of Norman, Arkansas, there is a brick building that is a library—not a common library—but a living piece of history and a Guinness World Record holder. The Norman Library, which measures a mere 170 square feet, is the smallest independent public library in the state and a former national small library record holder. This tiny building, situated in the town square, is nearly two centuries old, a testament to a resilient community and its enduring love affair with books1.

 

Key Highlights

Guinness Record Status: The Norman Library was awarded record status from the Guinness Book of World Records as the United States' smallest freestanding public library1.

 

Historic Background: The building was originally built in the 1940s as a water pumping station. The Garden Club later converted it into a library, using mission oak shelving to house over 500 books1.

 

Community Spirit: Marie Pinkerton and the Norman Garden Club led the library renovation effort, raising money and donating the building, a definition of community spirit1.

 

Architectural Charm: With Craftsman-style and shed-roof porches, the single-story masonry structure is an architectural gem with a storied history, having even been temporarily employed as an office and jail at one time1.

 

Modern Revival: After years of closure and renovation – including the major roof repair and pandemic lockdown – the library now houses approximately 3,000 books, two computers, and public Wi-Fi, and continues to be a hub for the community in Norman residents1.

 

National Historic Landmark: The park and library became a National Register of Historic Places listing in 1993, further establishing it as a cherished landmark1.

 

Why It Matters Norman's library is not just a record-breaker—it's an ode to the resilience of small towns in preserving history, encouraging learning, and inspiring generations to follow, all under one roof of the country's smallest public library1.

 

Source: Norman Library - Encyclopedia of Arkansas