For over sixty years, the Yazoo Library was housed in many different buildings. Thankfully, in 1900, Fannie Ricks adopted the library as her cause and funded the construction of the B. S. Ricks Memorial Library. She named it in honor of her late husband, General Benjamin Sherrod Ricks. This is the same building we use today (with a few additions).
The library was opened to the public in 1901 and formally dedicated January 1, 1902. The Ricks Memorial Library continues to serve Yazoo County as a public library, and is the oldest public library building in continuous service in Mississippi.
Mrs. B. S. Ricks was a woman with many philanthropic interests. Aside from funding the construction of our beautiful library, she provided scholarships funding summer school programs at the University of Mississippi. Mrs. Ricks left a legacy of her generosity.
