The inspiration to open a library in the area grew out of a 1926 bequest to the citizens of Alleghany County and Covington of 750 books from the estate of Charles P. Jones, a prominent Covington attorney.

In 1928, a group of citizens lead by the Delphian Club (now the Covington Women’s Club) started a local campaign to organize a library.

In 1929, with financial assistance from the City of Covington, a room in the Payne home on Maple Avenue was rented to house the Library’s collection.

Due to overcrowding and an increasing demand for services, the Library moved in 1931 to the Parrish Building on Maple Avenue.

In 1943, Alleghany County sealed the library-city-county partnership by entering into an agreement with the Library; as a result, the Charles P. Jones Memorial Library became recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a regional library, serving the residents of Alleghany County and Covington. Funding for the library continues to be provided jointly by  the governments of Alleghany County and Covington.

In 1943, the CPJML applied for a $5,000 grant from the Virginia State Library Extension Division.  It started with a state grant of $5,000 for the purchase of books.  The first Bookmobile was a 1940 Chevrolet that originated as a W.P.A. bookmobile.

In 1947, the Library moved to the first floor of the old Jeter School. The Library consisted of two rooms and allowed for a reading area.

By 1963, a larger facility became necessary to serve the area residents.  In April 1963, a committee of dedicated local citizens launched what would become a successful fund-raising drive for a new building.  In November 1964, the new building located on Riverside Street in Covington was dedicated.

In the late 1990’s, with space filled to capacity and an infrastructure that could not support the technological demands of the 21st century, another capital campaign was planned. With state, local government, private foundation, and overwhelming public contributions, the Library proceeded with a long dreamed of expansion project.  On June 31, 2002, the “Doors to Discovery” were opened to reveal the Charles P. Jones Memorial Library, tripled in size, wired for the technology of the future, and ready to fulfill the educational, informational and technological needs of the community.

In April 2016, with the blessing of the family of Charles P. Jones, as a way to better represent our services and service area through our name, the library was officially renamed the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library.  At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the legacy of Charles P. Jones was commemorated with the placement of a plaque on the library’s cornerstone, officially naming our building the Charles P. Jones Memorial Building. 

The Alleghany Highlands Regional Library is dedicated to being a dynamic force in our community by providing access to knowledge, information, technology, resources, programs and services for all ages. We continue to move forward, fulfilling our mission of becoming a ‘Bridge to Discovery’ for all area residents.