Hooker County Library
🏢 Western Library System · Mullen, Nebraska
Hooker County Library
The Hooker County Library at 102 North Cleveland Avenue is the only public library in one of Nebraska's most sparsely populated counties — Hooker County, established in 1889, covers 721 square miles of the storied Nebraska Sandhills with just over 700 residents. With more than 11,000 volumes and nearly 6,000 annual circulations, this Mullen library punches far above its weight as an intellectual and community hub in the heart of the Sandhills.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 2pm–5pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 2pm–5pm |
| Thursday | 11am–5pm |
| Friday | 2pm–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 102 North Cleveland Avenue, Mullen, NE 69152
Phone: (308) 546-2240
Website: facebook.com
Plus Code: 85JW2XR3+WW (Mullen, NE)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Hooker County Library
The Hooker County Library serves Mullen and all of Hooker County, the county seat library for one of the least-densely populated counties in the contiguous United States. Hooker County was established on March 29, 1889, and named for Union General Joseph Hooker; Mullen became the county seat. The Sandhills terrain of low rolling hills and the Middle Loup River running through the upper county shaped a ranching-dominated economy that persists today. Buffalo Bill Cody and Major Frank North established a ranch along the nearby Dismal River in 1877, and the region has long been integral to Nebraska's cattle heritage. Against that backdrop, the Hooker County Library — with a collection of more than 11,000 volumes serving a population of about 736 — represents an outsized commitment to literacy and community. The library belongs to the Western Library System and offers free NebraskAccess databases, connecting Sandhills residents to statewide digital resources that would otherwise require a long drive to access.
⭐ What makes this library special
- County seat library for Hooker County — one of the least-densely populated counties in the U.S., covering 721 sq mi of Nebraska Sandhills with ~736 residents
- Hooker County established March 29, 1889, named for Civil War General Joseph Hooker; Mullen served as county seat from the outset
- Over 11,000 volumes and nearly 6,000 annual circulations — among the highest per-capita use rates in rural Nebraska
- Near the historic Dismal River ranch established by Buffalo Bill Cody & Major Frank North in 1877 — a touchstone of the Sandhills cattle tradition
- Extended Tuesday & Thursday hours (11 AM–5 PM) maximize access for ranching families in this remote High Plains community
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hooker County cardholders can access Nebraska's statewide digital library at no cost:
📚 Services
- Circulating collection of over 11,000 volumes
- Public internet computers (3) and free wireless access
- Interlibrary loan through the Western Library System
- NebraskAccess statewide databases
- Libby / OverDrive e-books and audiobooks
- Hooker County Genealogical Society resources nearby
🎸 Programs
- Community programs and events for Mullen and Hooker County residents
- Summer reading activities
- Support from the Friends of the Library
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Nebraska Sandhills
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hooker County one of the least-populated counties in the U.S.?
Hooker County sits deep in the Nebraska Sandhills, a vast region of grass-stabilized sand dunes with poor soil for traditional farming. The terrain favored large cattle ranches over dense settlement, keeping the population small. As of the 2020 Census it had about 711 residents spread across 721 square miles.
What are the library's hours, and why do Tuesday and Thursday open earlier?
The Hooker County Library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM. The extended Tuesday/Thursday hours give ranchers and school families a longer midday window to visit before afternoon chores and work.
What digital resources can I access with a Hooker County library card?
Cardholders can borrow e-books and audiobooks free through Libby (OverDrive). All Nebraska residents also have free access to NebraskAccess databases — covering genealogy, health, legal topics, full-text magazines, and K–12 study resources — from any device.
What is the connection between Hooker County and Buffalo Bill Cody?
In 1877, Buffalo Bill Cody and his business partner Major Frank North established a cattle ranch along the Dismal River in what is now Hooker County, using cedar logs to build a cabin and corrals. The ranch was part of the wave of cattle operations that shaped the Sandhills economy and culture of the region.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.