the very first library for cabarrus county was established on july 8, 1902 in concord. this first library was in a small frame house located on spring street near the present day coltrane-webb elementary school. mayfield cole was named the first librarian with a salary of $8 per month; the library had very limited operating hours and books were acquired via donations from local citizens and it was proclaimed that the library owned a set of encyclopedias as well as a collection of shakespeare's works. the library was governed by a board of directors that was composed of various local business men and/or their wives. this original library closed after just a year or two of being in operation.