Long Island Community Library
🏢 Central Kansas Library System · Long Island, Kansas
Long Island Community Library
Tucked into the valley between Prairie Dog Creek and Elk Creek in Phillips County, the Long Island Community Library has served this tight-knit plains town since the Great Plains settlement era — offering books, children's programs, and free statewide digital resources through the Central Kansas Library System.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 2pm–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–10am & 3pm–5pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 9am–10am & 3pm–5pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 8:30am–11:30am |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 359 Washington Ave, Long Island, KS 67647
Phone: (785) 854-7474
Website: facebook.com
Plus Code: 86F2WFW8+V4 (Long Island, KS)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Long Island Community Library
The Long Island Community Library serves Long Island, Kansas, a small incorporated city of roughly 137 residents in the rolling prairie of Phillips County in the northwestern part of the state. The town itself was named by Native Americans for the island-like ridge of land between Prairie Dog Creek to the south and Elk Creek to the north; it was first settled in 1869, platted in 1873, and incorporated in 1904 following the arrival of the railroad in 1885. The library, located at 359 Washington Ave in the Long Island Community Building — which also houses a playground — is a member of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS), linking patrons to a shared catalog of more than 300,000 items across 54 member libraries in 17 Kansas counties. Residents can also access the Kansas Library eCard, which opens free statewide digital collections including cloudLibrary eBooks and audiobooks, Britannica databases, genealogy resources, and Mango Languages — all at no cost.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Member of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS), linking patrons to 300,000+ items across 54 public and school libraries in 17 northwest Kansas counties
- Named for the distinctive prairie landform: Native Americans called this valley 'Long Island' for the ridge between Prairie Dog Creek and Elk Creek — a name settlers kept when they platted the town in 1873
- Hosts children's programming during the summer reading season and school year, plus adult and community events throughout the year
- Located in the Long Island Community Building at 359 Washington Ave, with an adjacent playground — a shared civic hub in a town of ~137 residents
- Kansas Library eCard unlocks free statewide resources: cloudLibrary eBooks & audiobooks, Britannica databases, Heritage Quest genealogy, and Mango Languages
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Long Island cardholders can borrow, research, and learn free through Kansas's shared statewide collections:
📚 Services
- Physical book and media lending
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) through CKLS network
- Access to CKLS Pathfinder shared catalog (300,000+ items, 54 libraries, 17 counties)
- Kansas Library eCard issuance for statewide digital resource access
- Community space in the Long Island Community Building
- Adjacent playground for families
🎸 Programs
- Summer reading and activities for children
- School-year children's programming
- Adult programming and community events
- Holiday events for the community
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northwest Kansas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Long Island · Browse all Kansas libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Long Island Community Library and how is it related to the Community Building?
The Long Island Community Library operates out of the Long Island Community Building at 359 Washington Ave — a shared civic space that also includes a playground. With a population of around 137, Long Island concentrates its public resources in one place, and the library has anchored this corner of Phillips County through the town's settlement history beginning in the 1870s.
Why does Long Island, Kansas have that name, and what does it have to do with the library?
Long Island was named by Native Americans because the valley between Prairie Dog Creek to the south and Elk Creek to the north forms a natural inland 'island' of higher land. The community was first settled in 1869 and platted in 1873, with the Union Pacific railroad arriving in 1885 and sparking the town's growth. The library continues to serve as a cornerstone of this Phillips County community, whose population has remained around 130–140 residents for many decades.
Can I borrow books from other Kansas libraries through the Long Island Community Library?
Yes. The library is a member of the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS), which links 54 public and school libraries across 17 northwest Kansas counties in a shared Pathfinder catalog holding more than 300,000 items. Staff can request items from any CKLS member library through interlibrary loan and have them sent to Long Island for pickup.
What free digital resources are available to Long Island cardholders?
Cardholders are eligible for the Kansas Library eCard, a statewide program funded by the State Library of Kansas that unlocks cloudLibrary eBooks and audiobooks (250,000+ titles), Britannica research databases, Heritage Quest for genealogy, and Mango Languages for interactive language learning — all at no cost. Ask staff at the library to help you get set up with the eCard.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.