Adams County Library
🏢 South Central Library System · Adams, Wisconsin
Adams County Library
Adams County Library sits almost exactly on the border between the villages of Adams and Friendship, serving the whole of Adams County from its suite on North Cedar Street — a county whose library tradition reaches back to a Friendship Library Association chartered in 1886.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 1pm–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 569 N. Cedar St., Suite 1, Adams, WI 53910
Phone: (608) 339-4250
Website: adamscountylibrary.info
Plus Code: 86MGX58H+F9 (Adams, WI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Adams County Library
Adams County Library serves the residents of Adams County, Wisconsin, from its location at 569 N. Cedar Street in the village of Adams, sited almost on the boundary between Adams and Friendship. The county's library history begins in 1886, when S. W. Pierce drafted articles for the Friendship Library Association — though each community had its own library for many years before they were merged into the Adams-Friendship Joint Library. The first permanent Friendship library opened in February 1915 with Mrs. Mae Smith as librarian, and around 1974 the institution was renamed the Adams County Library. Today the library is a member of the South Central Library System (SCLS) and its shared LINKcat catalog, giving cardholders access to the combined holdings of 54 member libraries. BadgerLink, Libby, and e-audiobooks round out the digital offerings for county residents, whether in town or at home.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Library history stretching to 1886, when the Friendship Library Association was first chartered — one of the earliest in Adams County
- First permanent public library opened in Friendship in February 1915, then consolidated into the Adams-Friendship Joint Library before becoming Adams County Library circa 1974
- Member of the South Central Library System (SCLS) and shared LINKcat catalog — borrowing from 54 member libraries across south-central Wisconsin
- Situated almost exactly on the Adams–Friendship village border, the library serves the whole of Adams County
- Access to over 138,000 digital titles (eBooks & audiobooks) through Libby and the Wisconsin Digital Library
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Adams County Library cardholders can read, listen and research free online through Wisconsin's statewide and SCLS shared digital collections:
📚 Services
- Borrowing from 54 member libraries via the South Central Library System (SCLS) LINKcat shared catalog
- Public computers, wireless printing & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through the SCLS network
- Curbside pickup available
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Meeting space (Reading Room) available for community groups
🎸 Programs
- Youth storytimes and children's programming
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Adult programs and community events
- Friends of the Library meetings (monthly, selected months)
- Book discussions and community reading activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central Wisconsin
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does the Adams County Library's history go?
The library's roots reach to 1886, when S. W. Pierce drafted articles for the Friendship Library Association. The first permanent library in the area opened in Friendship in February 1915. Each community in the county had its own library before they were merged into the Adams-Friendship Joint Library, which was renamed the Adams County Library around 1974.
What is the South Central Library System (SCLS), and how does it benefit my library card?
SCLS is a library cooperative that links 54 public and academic libraries across south-central Wisconsin through the shared LINKcat catalog. An Adams County Library card lets you place holds on and borrow items from any of the 54 member libraries, dramatically expanding the range of materials available to you. You can search the whole system at linkcat.info.
Does Adams County Library have seasonal hours?
Yes — the library runs two seasonal schedules. During the winter (Labor Day through Memorial Day), it is open Monday–Wednesday 9 am–7 pm, Thursday 1–7 pm, Friday 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday 10 am–2 pm. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) shift some weekday windows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday run 9 am–5 pm while Tuesday stays 9 am–7 pm and Thursday 1–7 pm, with Saturday remaining 10 am–2 pm. The library is always closed on Sundays.
Can I access BadgerLink resources from home with my Adams County Library card?
Yes. BadgerLink is Wisconsin's statewide online library, funded by the Department of Public Instruction, and is free for all Wisconsin residents. It provides full-text access to magazines, newspapers, genealogy databases, scholarly articles, and more. You can log in with your library card credentials at badgerlink.dpi.wi.gov from any internet-connected device.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.