Central City Public Library
🏢 Southeast Library System · Central City, Nebraska
Central City Public Library
The Central City Public Library in Merrick County seats itself firmly in the top tier of American public libraries: Gold Accredited by the Nebraska Library Commission and a 5-star Library Journal Award winner for 15 consecutive years, ranking it in the top 1.6% of the nation's 5,359 evaluated libraries. Open until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, it serves Central City and Merrick County residents with a Makerspace, genealogy resources, and an active events calendar.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–7pm |
| Thursday | 9am–7pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1604 15th Avenue, Central City, NE 68826
Phone: (308) 946-2512
Website: centralcitypubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86H44282+F5 (Central City, NE)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Central City Public Library
The Central City Public Library (CCPL) is the public library of Central City, Nebraska, the county seat of Merrick County, located at 1604 15th Avenue. A member of the Southeast Library System, CCPL holds Gold Accreditation from the Nebraska Library Commission and has earned a 5-star Library Journal 'America's Star Libraries' rating for 15 consecutive years — placing it among the top 1.6% of 5,359 libraries evaluated nationally. The collection of over 20,000 items circulates nearly 80,000 times annually, serving more than 4,000 registered patrons. Notable resources include a Makerspace with laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, heat press and Cricut; a genealogy and microfilm section; the Wright Morris Collection (materials related to the Central City-born novelist and photographer); and an online card catalog at centralcity.biblionix.com. The library also lends cake pans and offers free Wi-Fi, 16 public computers, a fax machine, multimedia projectors, a laminator, and a scanner. Community outreach includes preschool storytimes, the Lone Tree Readers Book Discussion Group, and summer reading. Card eligibility extends to all residents and property owners in Merrick County.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Nebraska Library Commission Gold Accreditation — the highest rating awarded by the Commission
- Library Journal 5-Star Award winner for 15 consecutive years — top 1.6% of U.S. public libraries
- Full Makerspace: laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, heat press, Cricut cutter — bookable by appointment
- Wright Morris Collection — materials honoring the Central City-born novelist and photographer
- Genealogy resources and microfilm reader/printer for local history research
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Central City cardholders access free digital collections through the library's catalog, NebraskAccess and Nebraska OverDrive:
📚 Services
- Makerspace (by appointment) — laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, heat press, Cricut
- Genealogy section with microfilm reader/printer
- Wright Morris Collection for local literary history
- Cake pan lending collection
- Fax machine, laminator, multimedia projectors, scanner — available for public use
- 16 public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting room available for community use
- Interlibrary loan through Southeast Library System
- NebraskAccess statewide databases and Nebraska OverDrive/Libby
🎸 Programs
- Preschool storytimes and story-road-trip outreach visits
- After-school read-alongs for children
- Makerspace Make & Take events (custom keychains, creative projects)
- Lone Tree Readers Book Discussion Group (monthly, September–May)
- Humanities programs and educational classes throughout the year
- Summer reading program
- Summer internship program for teens and college students
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central Nebraska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Central City · Browse all Nebraska libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Central City Public Library nationally recognized?
CCPL has earned a 5-star rating from Library Journal's 'America's Star Libraries' report for 15 consecutive years, placing it in the top 1.6% of the 5,359 libraries evaluated across the country. It also holds Gold Accreditation from the Nebraska Library Commission — the highest level awarded.
What Makerspace equipment is available at Central City Public Library?
The library's Makerspace includes a laser cutter for engraving on wood, metal, tile and leather; a 3D printer; a vinyl cutter; a heat press; and a Cricut Expression cutter. Appointments are required — book online through the library's website or email the Makerspace Coordinator.
Who can get a free library card at Central City Public Library?
A free library card is issued to any patron who resides in Merrick County or owns property in Merrick County. Out-of-county residents may contact the library to ask about non-resident card options.
What is the Wright Morris Collection at CCPL?
The Wright Morris Collection holds materials related to Wright Morris (1910–1998), the novelist and photographer who was born in Central City. It is an in-house reference resource documenting the work and legacy of one of Nebraska's most celebrated literary figures.
📜 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.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.