Lied Imperial Public Library
🏢 Western Library System · Imperial, Nebraska
Lied Imperial Public Library
Lied Imperial Public Library has anchored Chase County community life since its beginnings in 1925 as a Women's Club lending room in the courthouse. A 1930 building funded by the Kilpatrick brothers and a 2005 expansion supported by the Lied Foundation gave the library its current home at 703 Broadway, where it holds more than 31,000 items, preserves an extensive Chase County history and genealogy archive, and runs Friday Story Hour every week of the year.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–12pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 703 Broadway, Imperial, NE 69033
Phone: (308) 882-4754
Website: libraries.ne.gov
Plus Code: 85GWG994+7H (Imperial, NE)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Lied Imperial Public Library
Lied Imperial Public Library serves Imperial, Nebraska — Chase County seat in the extreme southwest corner of the state — with a collection built across a century of community investment. The library's story begins in 1925, when the Women's Club launched a lending library temporarily housed in the county courthouse before moving near Adams Bank. In 1927 the Kilpatrick brothers funded construction of a purpose-built library building, completed in 1930 at its current Broadway address. A 2005 grant from the Lied Foundation enabled an expansion that gave the library its present footprint and the 'Lied' designation it carries today. Under director Beth Falla, who joined the staff in 1996, the library has grown to more than 31,000 items and serves roughly 2,700 registered borrowers with annual circulation exceeding 25,000. The library is a member of the Western Library System and participates in Nebraska OverDrive (Libby) for digital lending. It maintains an exceptional local history collection: multiple volumes of Chase County history books published from 1938 onward, county yearbooks, genealogy records, cemetery data, census materials and historical newspapers. The library also delivers materials to Imperial Manor, Parkview and Heights residential facilities, and provides exam proctoring, a public meeting room, color copying, scanning and a computer for patrons with hearing or visual impairments.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1925 as the Women's Club Library — a century of Chase County community service, now with 31,000+ items
- 'Lied' designation honors a 2005 Lied Foundation expansion grant; the original 1930 building was funded by the Kilpatrick brothers
- Exceptional Chase County local history archive: history books from 1938, county yearbooks, genealogy records, cemetery data and historical newspapers
- Free delivery to Imperial Manor, Parkview and Heights residential facilities for residents who cannot visit in person
- Weekly Friday Story Hour (ages 3–6), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for children birth–5, and summer Lawn Chair Theatre outdoor movies
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Imperial cardholders can borrow, stream and research online free through Nebraska's statewide digital programs:
📚 Services
- Public computers with free internet access, including a dedicated station for patrons with hearing or visual impairments
- Color printer, color copier, scanner, fax and laminator
- Free Wi-Fi (24/7 access outside the building)
- Exam proctoring service
- Public meeting room available for community use
- Free delivery to Imperial Manor, Parkview and Heights residential facilities
- Interlibrary loan through the Western Library System
- Downloadable e-books and audiobooks via Nebraska OverDrive / Libby
🎸 Programs
- Friday Story Hour (ages 3–6, weekly)
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (free monthly books for children birth–5 years)
- TASK creative arts exploration program for grades K–6
- Summer Reading Program and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Annual Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament
- Lawn Chair Theatre — outdoor summer movie series
- Book sales and community events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Nebraska
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Lied' mean in the library's name?
The 'Lied' in Lied Imperial Public Library honors the Lied Foundation, which provided a grant in 2005 to fund an expansion of the original 1930 building. The foundation — established by Ernst Lied, a Nebraska native who made his fortune in the automobile industry — has supported libraries, performing arts centers and community facilities across the Great Plains.
When was the library founded, and what is its history?
The library began in 1925 as the Women's Club Library, initially housed in the Chase County courthouse before moving near Adams Bank. In 1927 the Kilpatrick brothers funded construction of a permanent building at 703 Broadway, completed in 1930. A Lied Foundation expansion in 2005 gave the library its current configuration. Director Beth Falla has led the library since the mid-1990s.
Does the library have local Chase County history resources?
Yes — extensively. The library holds multiple volumes of Chase County history books published from 1938 onward, county yearbooks, genealogy records including cemetery data and census materials, and historical newspaper collections. It is one of the best local history resources for Chase County research in the region.
Can the library deliver materials to residential facilities in Imperial?
Yes. The Lied Imperial Public Library provides free delivery of books, audiobooks and other materials to residents at Imperial Manor, Parkview and Heights — three local residential and care facilities. Contact the library at (308) 882-4754 or email youbelong@imperiallibrary.org to arrange delivery.
📜 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 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.
👶 This library runs story times for kids. See how library story times work — ages, what happens and that they are free — and find other libraries with story-time programs library story times by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.