Library History

Beginning in the early 1950s, Gulf Shores citizens began working toward the creation of a library for the city. Countless fundraisers later, the Thomas B. Norton library is a thriving resource for residents and visitors alike. The facility is user friendly, with a wide array of programs and resources to help readers accomplish their objectives, whether it be research, schoolwork or reading for pleasure.

The Friends of the Library Club was instrumental in getting the library started; through their efforts funds were raised and money was allocated from the Baldwin County library fund. From those early days, the library has grown and flourished and as modern technology has improved, remote access to the library’s tools and catalog has become amazingly easy.

Today, Thomas B. Norton Library offers access to our full catalog as well as to assistance with genealogy research and a host of special programs, including story time for children.