About Us

The Osawatomie Public Library has its roots in the early 1880s, when the Chautaqua Circle circulated approximately 25 books. Local resident and noted businessman JW Sponable made a generous donation to turn that informal collection into an official public library in 1889, and we've been serving the public ever since! Our original library was a Carnegie Library and was in use until the late 1970s. The deterioration of that building necessitated its closure, and a new library was built and opened in 1980. Though we've gone through a few renovations and small-scale expansions, we're still in the same building today.

Osawatomie Public Library joined the City of Osawatomie as a formal city department in the 2000s and enjoys the flexibility and support of being part of a local government unit. The Library is administered by a full-time director, who reports to Osawatomie's City Manager and an appointed board of Library Trustees.

The library is open six days a week: Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm.