Imperial Public Library
🏢 City of Imperial · Imperial, California
Imperial Public Library
A Carnegie-founded community landmark in the heart of Imperial Valley, the Imperial Public Library has served Imperial County residents for over a century — surviving earthquake, relocation, and reinvention — and today offers everything from Seed Library packets to a Library of Things lending collection.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 8am–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 200 W. 9TH ST., IMPERIAL, CA 92251
Phone: +1760-355-1332
Website: imperial.ca.gov
Plus Code: 8546RCXH+99 (IMPERIAL, CA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Imperial Public Library
The Imperial Public Library traces its roots to 1909, when Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000 to build a free public library at 9th and G Streets — provided the city of Imperial supply the site and ongoing support. That original Carnegie building was lost in the 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake, and the library found its permanent home at 200 West 9th Street in 1953. Today the library is a City of Imperial department serving Imperial County's agricultural heartland through books, digital resources, technology access, and creative community programs. The library's Learning Garden and Seed Library reflect its deep connection to the farming heritage of the Imperial Valley, letting residents check out seeds just as they would a book. Thousands of patrons visit annually for story times, STEM workshops, job-skills classes, digital-literacy training, book clubs, and cultural celebrations.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie legacy: Imperial received one of Andrew Carnegie's 1909 library gifts — funding the Valley's first dedicated public library building
- Survived the 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake that destroyed the original Carnegie structure; current building opened 1953
- Seed Library lets cardholders check out vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to grow at home — and return seeds at harvest
- Library of Things collection lends tools, games, and equipment beyond traditional books and media
- Learning Garden on-site connects the library to the agricultural roots of the Imperial Valley community
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Imperial library card unlocks a full suite of free digital resources through the California State Library and the City of Imperial's online catalog:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Imperial County residents
- Public computer workstations with internet access
- LINK+ interlibrary loan from hundreds of CA/NV libraries
- Seed Library — check out vegetable, herb, and flower seeds
- Library of Things — tools and equipment lending
- Learning Garden on library grounds
- Copy, print, and scan services
- Meeting/community room available
- Adult literacy and digital-literacy assistance
- Online catalog and digital resource access
🎸 Programs
- Story times for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
- STEM workshops for youth
- Job skills and workforce readiness classes
- Digital literacy training for adults
- Book clubs
- Cultural events and community celebrations
- Early learning and school-readiness programs
- Teen programming and activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Imperial County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in IMPERIAL · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Imperial Public Library offer a Seed Library?
Yes. The library's Seed Library lets cardholders check out packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to grow at home. Return seeds from your harvest at the end of the season to keep the collection growing for the whole community.
What is the Library of Things at Imperial Public Library?
The Library of Things is a lending collection of non-book items — tools, games, and other equipment — that cardholders can check out just like a book. Ask at the front desk to see what is currently available.
How do I get a library card at Imperial Public Library?
Cards are free for Imperial County residents. You can apply in person at 200 W 9th Street or start an online application through the library's catalog at imperial.polarislibrary.com. Bring a photo ID and proof of current address.
Can I request a book from another library through Imperial Public Library?
Yes. The Imperial Public Library participates in LINK+, a shared catalog network covering hundreds of California and Nevada libraries. If the title is not available locally, staff can request it for free and notify you when it arrives.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🖨 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 has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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