The diverse histories of the public libraries in the towns of Bonne Terre, Desloge, Farmington, Flat River, and Leadwood (Missouri) are presented. Each library is examined individually from its inception through its first few years of existence. Emphasis is placed not only on the tasks undertaken by the newly formed libraries but also on the successful struggle of each and the relationship between it and the people served. A brief history of the area precedes the history of the libraries. Newspapers, library records, and personal correspondence were sources for the study; newspapers provided the bulk of the information. The paper encompasses both external and internal forces which affected the libraries or the communities. The historical approach to each library is taken, rather than a comparison of the institutions included in the survey. (Author/KM)