Public Libraries in Watertown, South Dakota
South Dakota — United States
Public Libraries in Watertown, South Dakota
The Watertown Regional Library, with roots dating to 1899, serves Watertown and Codington County.
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Libraries
Libraries in Watertown
Watertown Regional Library
📍 160 6th St NE, Watertown, SD 57201
📞 605-882-6220 · 🕑 Mon–Thu 9:30–9, Fri 9:30–6, Sat 9:30–5, Sun 1–5
Hamlin-Codington Regional Library Bookmobile
📍 209 Main Ave, Hayti, SD 57241
📞 605-783-2665 · 🕑 Bookmobile — visits on a rotating community schedule; call for stops
The Story of the Library in Watertown
Watertown's public library traces its roots to 1899, and in September 1903 a petition signed by 616 residents asked the City Council to fund "maintenance of a public library." The city accepted a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie's library building fund, and the neo-classical Carnegie Free Public Library — designed by architect Maurice Hockman — opened to the public on November 29, 1906.
The Carnegie building served Watertown until 1967, when library operations moved to a newer facility on the east side of town near the high school. The original 1906 Carnegie structure still stands and today houses the Codington County Heritage Museum, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The library now operates as the Watertown Regional Library at 160 6th St NE.
About Public Libraries in Watertown
The Watertown Regional Library is the public library serving Watertown and the surrounding Codington County area from its building at 160 6th St NE. Any resident can get a free library card in person, which unlocks the print collection, research databases, wireless printing, interlibrary loan, and free access to the statewide South Dakota Titles To Go digital collection. Rural readers in Hamlin and Codington counties are also served by the Hamlin-Codington Regional Library Bookmobile, based in Hayti, which brings books to towns, schools, and care centers on a rotating schedule.
With a South Dakota library card, residents get free access to South Dakota Titles To Go, the state's OverDrive eBook and audiobook consortium of roughly 80 member libraries. Borrow thousands of eBooks and audiobooks on your phone or tablet through the free Libby app — no trip to the branch required.
📚 What You Can Access
- 📚 Books, DVDs, and print materials for all ages
- 📱 Free eBooks & audiobooks via South Dakota Titles To Go (Libby app)
- 🖨️ Wireless printing and copying
- 🔎 Research databases and genealogy resources
- 🔁 Interlibrary loan to borrow beyond the local collection
- 🚐 Rural service via the Hamlin-Codington Bookmobile
- 🧒 Story-time, book clubs, and children’s programs
🏛️ Quick Facts
| Libraries | 2 (1 branch + regional bookmobile) |
| System | Watertown Regional Library |
| Address | 160 6th St NE, Watertown, SD 57201 |
| Phone | 605-882-6220 |
| Founded | 1899 (Carnegie building opened 1906) |
| Library card | Free for residents |
| State resource | South Dakota Titles To Go |
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