Myrtle Glanton Lord Public Library is tucked away inside of Patterson Park Community Center near downtown Murfreesboro. Though it is our second smallest branch, don’t let its size fool you. MGL is a full service library equipped with a large meeting space, computer lab, and enough books to keep you reading for years.
Educator Myrtle Glanton Lord spent 42 years teaching in Murfreesboro city schools and headed the committee that planned the Patterson Park Community Center, so when a small library and learning center was opened in the building, city officials jumped at the chance to name it after her. Beginning in 1979, MGL functioned as an independent library and then became part of the Rutherford County Library System on October 1, 2004.1
MGL is a favorite of patrons visiting Patterson Park for a workout and kids hanging out after school. In fact, because of the rules of the community center, MGL is the only branch in our system that allows children under twelve to use library facilities without a parent or guardian. Thanks to this, MGL has one of our most unique groups of patrons and the staff has a relationship with the people they serve unlike any other library in RCLS.
Myrtle Glanton Lord is also home to RCLS’ first library pet: Toad the Leopard Gecko. This little guy has made a big impact on the young patrons of the branch and has become a star attraction. Since he started living there, Toad has been the subject of meme contests, costume designs contests, and, recently, he has even become the official mascot of the branch.
So next time you’re visiting Patterson Park just follow the yellow tiles to Myrtle Glanton Lord Public Library. Stop in to visit Toad, grab a book as a reward for a good workout, or just come and sit in one of the comfy chairs and enjoy the legacy of Lord.
- Books and Our Town: The History of the Rutherford County Library System by Lisa Ramsay, Page 73-74 ↩︎