The Rowan County Public Library was established in 1968 after a petition had been circulated to implement a 4.5 cent tax to keep the library and bookmobile services in Rowan County. The petition had 500 more names than what was required to administer the tax. Close to 300 people attended the grand opening. Among those in attendance were U.S. Congressman Carl D. Perkins, State Senator Ed J. Kelly, State Representative and Mrs. Sherman R. Arnett, and Morehead State University President Dr. Adron Doran. The library celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

The mission of the Rowan County Public Library is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in and near our service area by providing a catalog of items and information for their leisure and lifelong learning needs.