Hanford Branch Library
🏢 Kings County Library · Hanford, California
Hanford Branch Library
Hanford Branch Library is the flagship branch of the Kings County Library system, serving the San Joaquin Valley city that grew up along the Southern Pacific Railroad. It traces its roots to an 1895 Carnegie grant that produced Hanford's first dedicated library building, now preserved as the Hanford Carnegie Museum two blocks away.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–1pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 110 S. 11th Avenue, HANFORD, CA 93230
Phone: (559) 852-4001
Website: kingscountylibrary.org
Plus Code: 858289H3+PH (HANFORD, CA)
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📖 About Hanford Branch Library
The Hanford Branch Library is the main branch of Kings County Library, which serves all of Kings County in California's Central Valley. Hanford's library history dates to 1903, when Andrew Carnegie donated $12,500 for a library building that opened at a different address in 1905 — one of California's many Carnegie libraries. The original 1905 building was replaced by a newer structure in 1968, and the Carnegie building was later restored and reopened as the Hanford Carnegie Museum in 1975. Today the branch operates from 110 S. 11th Avenue and provides the full range of Kings County Library digital services, including Libby, hoopla, Cloud Library, enki, and Comics Plus, alongside in-person services such as test proctoring, a meeting room for community gatherings, public computers, and free Wi-Fi. A free library card is open to all Kings County residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Flagship branch of Kings County Library, serving Hanford and surrounding Central Valley communities
- Library history dating to a 1903 Andrew Carnegie grant — the original 1905 Carnegie building survives as the Hanford Carnegie Museum
- Full suite of eBook and audiobook platforms: Libby, Cloud Library, enki, hoopla, and The Palace Project
- Test proctoring available by appointment for online and paper exams (fee applies)
- Weekly programs including storytime, Maker Monday crafts, Dungeons & Dragons for teens, and Chapter Chat book club
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hanford Branch cardholders can read, listen, and research for free through Kings County Library's digital collection:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and Wi-Fi
- Test proctoring for online and paper exams (appointment required, fee applies)
- Meeting room for community use (capacity 50; fee applies)
- Interlibrary loan through the San Joaquin Valley Library System
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- eLibrary access to Libby, hoopla, Cloud Library, enki and Comics Plus
- Mobile printing
- New York Times Online access (free 72-hour sessions)
🎸 Programs
- Story Time (Wednesdays)
- Maker Monday crafts for children
- Dungeons & Dragons for teens (Wednesdays 3:30–5:30 pm)
- Chapter Chat adult book club (first Thursdays 4:30 pm)
- Sit & Stitch yarn craft group (monthly)
- Cup of Joe & Conversation with Veterans (second Saturday monthly)
- Creative Corner monthly family art workshop
- Summer Reading Program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central California
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in HANFORD · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hanford Branch Library offer test proctoring?
Yes. The Hanford Branch can proctor both paper and online exams during regular open hours. An appointment is required — call (559) 852-4001 to schedule. The fee is $20 per test. Note that timed typing tests and certificates are not available.
What eBook services are available with a Kings County Library card?
Your Kings County Library card unlocks five digital platforms at no charge: Libby (OverDrive), hoopla, Cloud Library, enki, and The Palace Project for eBooks and audiobooks, plus Comics Plus for digital comics. You can also access the New York Times Online free for 72-hour sessions.
Is the Hanford Branch Library open on Sundays?
No — the Hanford Branch is closed on Sundays and open Monday through Thursday 9 am to 6 pm, and Friday and Saturday 9 am to 1 pm.
What is the history of the Carnegie Library in Hanford?
In 1903, Andrew Carnegie donated $12,500 to fund a library building in Hanford, which opened in 1905. The original Carnegie building served as the city's public library until 1968, when a new library structure was built at a different location. The old Carnegie building was renovated and reopened as the Hanford Carnegie Museum in 1975, and it stands as a local landmark today.
🖨 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.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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