Barnard Library
🏢 Southwest Kansas Library System · La Crosse, Kansas
Barnard Library
Barnard Library has served La Crosse and Rush County since the city's earliest days, preserving a unique microfilm archive of Rush County newspapers from their first issues to the present. At 521 Elm Street, the library is open Monday through Saturday — including a Thursday evening to 7 pm — and offers computers, free Wi-Fi, interlibrary loan, DVD checkout, and photocopies for the community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–4:30pm |
| Thursday | 11am–7pm |
| Friday | 11am–4:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 521 Elm Street, La Crosse, KS 67548
Phone: (785) 222-2826
Website: cityoflacrosseks.com
Plus Code: 86C2GMJR+6F (La Crosse, KS)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Barnard Library
Barnard Library is the public library of La Crosse, the county seat of Rush County in west-central Kansas. Located at 521 Elm Street, the library is a community cornerstone providing books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and digital resources to residents of La Crosse and surrounding Rush County. One of the library's most notable holdings is its microfilm collection of Rush County newspapers from their earliest issues to the present — an invaluable resource for local history research and genealogy. The library offers two public computers for internet access, photocopying (black-and-white and color), DVD checkout, and free wireless internet. Through interlibrary loan, patrons can borrow materials from libraries across Kansas. The library is directed by Christie Bittle and is supported by the City of La Crosse and Rush County.
⭐ What makes this library special
- County seat public library for Rush County in west-central Kansas, serving La Crosse since the community's founding era
- Unique microfilm archive of Rush County newspapers from the earliest issues to the present — a genealogy and local history treasure
- Thursday evening hours until 7 pm give working residents an after-work option
- Two public computers and free Wi-Fi, plus black-and-white and color photocopying
- DVD checkout and interlibrary loan connecting patrons to libraries statewide
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Barnard Library cardholders can access these free digital resources through Kansas statewide programs:
📚 Services
- Circulating books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and DVDs
- Microfilm archive of Rush County newspapers from beginning to present
- Interlibrary loan — borrowing titles from other libraries in Kansas and across the nation
- Two public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi
- Black-and-white photocopies ($0.10/page) and color photocopies ($0.50/page)
- Programming for all ages throughout the year
🎸 Programs
- Children's and youth programming throughout the year
- Community events and seasonal reading activities
- Adult programming and book discussions
- Local history and genealogy research assistance (microfilm collection)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Rush & Barton Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Barnard Library microfilm collection, and how can I use it for genealogy research?
Barnard Library holds a microfilm archive of Rush County newspapers from their earliest issues through the present day. This is one of the most complete local newspaper archives in the region and is an invaluable resource for genealogy research, local history, and tracing family records in Rush County. You can access the collection during regular library hours; staff can assist with the microfilm reader.
What are Barnard Library's open hours, and does it have any evening or weekend hours?
The library is open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 4:30 pm, with extended Thursday evening hours until 7 pm — giving working residents an after-work visit option. Saturday hours are 10 am to 1 pm. The library is closed on Sundays. Contact the library at (785) 222-2826 to confirm holiday schedules.
Can I borrow books from other libraries through Barnard Library?
Yes. Barnard Library participates in interlibrary loan (ILL), allowing you to borrow titles from other libraries across Kansas and beyond. If the library doesn't have a book or DVD you need, ask a staff member to request it through the ILL network.
Does Barnard Library have computers and printing for public use?
Yes. The library has two public computers available for internet access, along with free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Black-and-white photocopies are $0.10 per page and color photocopies are $0.50 per page.
📜 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.
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