Chadron Public Library
🏢 City of Chadron · Chadron, Nebraska
Chadron Public Library
One of only 18 surviving Carnegie libraries in Nebraska still operating as a public library, the Chadron Public Library opened its Carnegie-funded building in 1912 — a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990. Now serving from a temporary location at 201 West 2nd Street while expansion work proceeds, the library offers Northwest Nebraska's most robust Makerspace alongside a standout annual event: the Trading Stories Native American Film Festival each October.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6:45pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6:45pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6:45pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6:45pm |
| Friday | 12pm–4:45pm |
| Saturday | 12pm–4:45pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 201 West 2nd Street, Chadron, NE 69337
Phone: (308) 432-0531
Website: chadron-nebraska.com
Plus Code: 85JRRXGX+FV (Chadron, NE)
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📖 About Chadron Public Library
The Chadron Public Library is the public library of Chadron, Nebraska, the county seat of Dawes County in the state's northwest Panhandle. Community discussion about a library began in 1889, led by Dr. J.S. Romine, Fannie O'Linn and Mary Hayward-Smith; within a month the trio had solicited 100 members, and by 1894 the collection held 415 books. After a lull, renewed enthusiasm in 1907 led the city's mayor to approach Andrew Carnegie for financial assistance. Carnegie required Chadron to demonstrate annual maintenance funding of $500 and to provide a site; a lot at Fifth and Bordeaux Streets was selected in 1911, with Lincoln architect George Berlinghoff designing the building. The Carnegie-funded library opened in 1912, one of 69 Carnegie libraries built in Nebraska. The building was expanded in the 1960s, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and remains one of only 18 Carnegie libraries in the state still functioning as a public library. While operating from a temporary location at 201 West 2nd Street during an ongoing expansion project, the library continues to offer a Makerspace (laser cutter, 3D printers, Cricut, sewing machine, button maker), OverDrive, NebraskAccess and Project Gutenberg access, seven desktop computers, two laptops, Space Explorer Backpacks with telescopes, a teen gaming room, and an in-house local history collection. Library Director Rossella Tesch heads a team that also coordinates the annual Trading Stories Native American Film Festival each October.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1912 Carnegie building — one of only 18 still operating as a public library in Nebraska, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990
- Makerspace featuring a laser cutter, 3D printers, Cricut, sewing machine and button maker
- Annual Trading Stories Native American Film Festival held each October
- Space Explorer Backpacks with telescopes and sky charts — available for checkout
- Teen gaming room with PlayStation, Xbox and pre-loaded games; graphic novels and board games
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Chadron cardholders access free digital collections and statewide databases through the library and Nebraska Library Commission:
📚 Services
- Makerspace — laser cutter, 3D printers, Cricut/die cutter, sewing machine, button maker (staff training provided)
- Space Explorer Backpacks with telescope and sky chart for loan
- Seven public desktop computers and two laptops, plus device charging stations
- Free Wi-Fi and public printing
- In-house local and regional history collection (upstairs, staff-supervised)
- Teen room with PlayStation, Xbox, board games and graphic novels
- Permanent book sale section and monthly Library Annex book sales
- Interlibrary loan & reference assistance
- NebraskAccess, Libby/OverDrive, Project Gutenberg and Encyclopedia Britannica online access
🎸 Programs
- Trading Stories Native American Film Festival (each October)
- Pre-school storytime (Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.)
- Board Game Club (second Friday of each month at 3:30 p.m.)
- LEGO Club (first Friday of each month at 3:30 p.m.)
- STEAM Club (third Friday of each month at 3:30 p.m.)
- Robotics and drone flight workshops for middle schoolers
- Adult book clubs and yoga classes
- Summer reading program
- Author appearances and community speaker events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northwest Nebraska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chadron Public Library still in the historic Carnegie building?
The library is currently operating from a temporary location at 201 West 2nd Street in Chadron while work on an expansion project is underway. The historic 1912 Carnegie building at Fifth and Bordeaux Streets — listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990 — remains one of only 18 Carnegie libraries in Nebraska still in use as a public library.
What is the Trading Stories Native American Film Festival?
The Trading Stories Native American Film Festival is an annual event hosted by the Chadron Public Library each October. It screens films focusing on Native American culture, history and issues. Past festivals have centered on themes such as extraordinary Native women and women's issues.
What equipment is in the Chadron Public Library Makerspace?
The Makerspace includes a laser cutter for engraving on wood, metal, tile and leather; 3D printers; Cricut and die-cutting machines; a sewing machine; and a button maker. Library staff train visitors on the equipment before use. Computer programs allow users to download or design their own templates.
What are the Chadron Public Library's current hours?
The library is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m. and Friday through Saturday noon–4:45 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.
🧰 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 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.