Great Bend Public Library
🏢 Central Kansas Library System · Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend Public Library
The Great Bend Public Library at 1409 Williams Street serves the Barton County seat — a city of about 14,000 on the Arkansas River in the heart of the Kansas plains — and sits in the same city as the headquarters of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS), the regional cooperative that supports libraries across 17 counties. With weekday hours until 6 p.m. and Saturday hours until 5 p.m., the library is a full-service community hub for learning, discovery, and connection.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1409 Williams Street, Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: (620) 792-2409
Website: greatbend.catalog.ckls.org
Plus Code: 86C3968M+93 (Great Bend, KS)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Great Bend Public Library
The Great Bend Public Library has served the Barton County seat since the early twentieth century, growing alongside a city whose history is tied to oil production, the Arkansas River, and the broad agricultural plains of central Kansas. Great Bend sits near Cheyenne Bottoms, one of the most important interior wetlands in North America and a critical migratory stopover for shorebirds and waterfowl on the Central Flyway — a point of local pride that gives the community a strong nature-oriented identity. The library is a member of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS), which maintains its headquarters in Great Bend at 1409 Williams Street. Through CKLS, Great Bend patrons access the Pathfinder shared catalog, Libby eBooks, Kanopy streaming, interlibrary loan, and a wide range of continuing education resources. The library offers public computers, printing, Wi-Fi, and programming for all ages.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Located in Great Bend, the Barton County seat — a city near Cheyenne Bottoms, one of North America's most important interior wetlands on the Central Flyway
- In the same city as the CKLS headquarters: Great Bend is the hub of library cooperation across 17 central Kansas counties
- Open six days a week including Saturday until 5 p.m.
- Access to the full Pathfinder shared catalog, connecting patrons to holdings across the Central Kansas Library System
- Member of the statewide Kansas Library eCard network — unlocking digital resources for all Kansas residents
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Great Bend cardholders access these digital resources free through CKLS and the Kansas State Library:
📚 Services
- Book, DVD & audiobook checkout via the Pathfinder/CKLS shared catalog
- Interlibrary loan through the CKLS 17-county courier network
- Public computers, printing & free Wi-Fi
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Meeting and program space
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programs
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Adult programming and community events
- Book discussions and author programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Barton & Surrounding Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Great Bend significant in terms of regional library cooperation?
Great Bend is the home of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS) headquarters at 1409 Williams Street — the same address as the public library. CKLS is a cooperative serving libraries across 17 counties in central Kansas, providing cataloging, courier delivery, technology support, digital resources, and continuing education for library staff throughout the region.
What are the Great Bend Public Library's hours?
The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Call (620) 792-2409 to confirm holiday closures.
What is Cheyenne Bottoms, and what does it have to do with Great Bend?
Cheyenne Bottoms is a large interior wetland complex just north of Great Bend that is one of the most critical migratory stopovers in North America for shorebirds and waterfowl on the Central Flyway. It is managed partly as the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks) and partly as a Nature Conservancy preserve. For many Great Bend residents, Cheyenne Bottoms is a source of local pride and a reason birdwatchers visit from across the country.
How do I get a Kansas Library eCard to access digital books and databases?
Any Kansas resident can obtain a free Kansas Library eCard from the State Library of Kansas at kslib.info. The eCard supplements your Great Bend Public Library card and unlocks statewide databases, Libby eBooks and audiobooks, and other digital resources — all at no cost.
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