Independence Public Library, Public library in Independence, US

Independence Public Library is a small public library at 5th and Maple in Independence, Kansas, in a building opened in 1907 with a $22,500 Carnegie grant. The facility now covers 13,500 square feet and serves more than thirteen thousand local residents.

The Ladies Library Association of Independence opened a library in the City Council room at City Hall on 1 December 1882, with 94 books bought for $94.25. After years of moving, the city agreed to match the Association's building funds, including a $22,500 Carnegie grant. The library opened to the public in 1907 as the Carnegie Independence Public Library at 5th and Maple, where it still stands.

The library's motto is "creating possibilities, changing lives." It works in partnership with several other Kansas libraries and agencies, and after budget cuts threatened closure in 2009, administrators' changes led to the Best Small Library in America Award in 2012, cosponsored by the Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Visitors can use workstations with computers, printers, and digital tools for research and personal projects. It is helpful to check opening hours in advance and reserve meeting rooms if you plan group activities.

The library features specialized technology areas where visitors can experiment with modern equipment and pursue personal projects. This offering makes it more than just a place to borrow books.