Carthage Public Library
🏢 Missouri Evergreen · Carthage, Missouri
Carthage Public Library
The Carthage Public Library traces its roots to a Carnegie grant in 1902 and opened its doors in February 1905 with 5,000 volumes — one of three Carnegie libraries built in Jasper County, Missouri. Today it serves Carthage from its address on S. Garrison Avenue, offering extended evening hours on Mondays and Tuesdays, free notary service, and access to the statewide Missouri Evergreen shared catalog.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 612 S Garrison Ave, Carthage, MO 64836
Phone: (417) 237-7040
Website: carthage.lib.mo.us
Plus Code: 86975MFP+Q9 (Carthage, MO)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Carthage Public Library
The Carthage Public Library is the public library of Carthage, a city of roughly 15,000 in Jasper County in southwest Missouri. Citizens first organized a permanent library effort as early as 1870; in 1902 Andrew Carnegie offered $25,000 toward a building on condition that the city levy a tax to support it. The library opened on February 2, 1905 with 5,000 books on the shelf, and its first director, Elizabeth Wales, later became Secretary of the Missouri Library Commission. As a member of Missouri Evergreen — a statewide resource-sharing consortium — a Carthage library card unlocks millions of items across Missouri and provides free digital access to eBooks, audiobooks, and research databases through MOREnet and the EBSCO suite.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie heritage — one of three Carnegie libraries in Jasper County, opened February 2, 1905 with 5,000 volumes
- First director Elizabeth Wales went on to become Secretary of the Missouri Library Commission
- Extended evening hours Monday and Tuesday until 7 p.m. for after-work and after-school visits
- Free notary service available to the public at the library (available since April 2025)
- Member of Missouri Evergreen — statewide shared catalog giving card-holders access to collections across Missouri
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Carthage cardholders can borrow, stream, and research free through Missouri's statewide digital network:
📚 Services
- Free notary public service (available since April 2025)
- Public computers, printing, copying & free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through Missouri Evergreen statewide consortium
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Children's and adult programming throughout the year
- Meeting room available for community use
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes, early literacy events, and STEM activities
- Summer reading program for kids and adults
- Adult programming including book clubs and cultural events
- Digital literacy and job skills workshops
- Community events in partnership with local organizations
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Missouri
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Carthage Public Library really a Carnegie library, and when did it open?
Yes. In 1902 Andrew Carnegie offered $25,000 to build the library on the condition that Carthage levy a tax to sustain it. The library opened February 2, 1905 with 5,000 volumes on the shelf — making it one of three Carnegie libraries built in Jasper County, Missouri.
Does the Carthage Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library began offering free notary public service in April 2025. It is available to the public during library hours — no appointment needed.
What is Missouri Evergreen and how does a Carthage card use it?
Missouri Evergreen is a statewide resource-sharing consortium of public libraries across Missouri. With a Carthage Public Library card you can search and borrow items from member libraries throughout the state through the shared catalog at carthage.missourievergreen.org.
What digital resources can I access for free with a Carthage library card?
Cardholders get free access to Libby/OverDrive for eBooks and audiobooks, EBSCO research databases (including LearningExpress Library and HeritageQuest) provided through Missouri's MOREnet network, and Creativebug online art and craft classes.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services 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.
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