Thelma Rayner Memorial Library

The Town of Merigold was the first municipality to apply to the county library board for a branch library when the Bolivar County Library System was organized. Previously, the citizens of Merigold received service from the Community Library at the American Legion Hut, which had been discontinued by 1957. Upon acceptance by the library board, work began to extensively remodel the Merigold Town Hall, which had been selected as a desirable location for the new branch library. The Mississippi Library Commission provided furniture and a book collection, while the Town of Merigold provided and installed shelving.

The branch was formally opened and dedicated on February 8, 1959, with Mrs. Cora Lee Catchings as the newly appointed librarian. In 1963, the local library board was appointed: Mrs. James R. Smith III, who was elected chairman; Mrs. Virgie Hiter; Mrs. Ed D. Rayner; Billy Latham, and Charlie Clark (who by 1973 had been replaced by Mrs. E.C. Meek, Jr.). In February 1967, Mrs. Catchings retired and was honored by the board at an open house in the Rayner home. She was replaced by Myrtle Matthews (Mrs. Dan).

During the summer of 1971, the library was returned to the extensively renovated American Legion Hut, which was owned by the Town of Merigold. On July 8, 1971, the library was opened and renamed the Thelma M. Rayner Memorial Library. Thelma Rayner (Mrs. Ira) had been instrumental in establishing the Community Library by going house to house collecting book donations and then volunteering to serve as the librarian in 1934, which she continued to do until her death in 1953. The library was open nine hours per week.