In 1969 the South Hill Public Library opened on Lunenburg Ave. and operated as a branch of the Southside Regional Library System. By 1973 it became apparent that a larger facility was needed. A 4,118 square-foot building (formerly the Glass House Restaurant and Greyhound Bus Station) on Danville St. was purchased by Mr. R.T. “Tommy” Arnold, who paid for renovations and deeded it to the town for a library facility.

In appreciation of this donation, South Hill Town Council renamed the regional library branch, R.T. Arnold Library. By 1998 an even bigger facility was needed. The Friends of the R.T. Arnold Library spearheaded fundraising to build a new facility on nearby property. With support from individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and the town, ground was broken on June 16, 1999 for the new 15,000 square-foot facility at 110 E. Danville St., which officially opened on November 13, 2000.   A “Teen Scene”.space has recently been added complete with touch-screen computers.