Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library
🏢 South Dakota State Library · De Smet, South Dakota
Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library
De Smet, South Dakota — Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little Town on the Prairie" — is home to the Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library at 102 1st Street NE. Founded in 1928 and moved into its purpose-built home in 1968 with a children's addition added in 2003, the library holds a Laura Ingalls Wilder display case, five original Harvey Dunn paintings, and 23,000+ volumes serving the heart of Kingsbury County. Wednesday evenings it stays open until 6 p.m. — later than any other weekday.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12:30pm–5pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30pm–5pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30pm–6pm |
| Thursday | 12:30pm–5pm |
| Friday | 12:30pm–5pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 102 1st Street NE, De Smet, SD 57231
Phone: (605) 854-3842
Website: hazelmeyermemorial.yoursdlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86P49FQ2+2M (De Smet, SD)
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📖 About Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library
The Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library is the public library of De Smet, South Dakota — the real-life "Little Town on the Prairie" immortalized in Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved novel. The library's roots go back to 1928, when De Smet's first library opened in Brewer's Variety Store; it moved to City Hall in 1941 and then to its current dedicated building in 1968. In the summer of 2003, a children's wing was added and the library celebrated its 65th anniversary with a grand opening. Among its treasures are a glass display case of Laura Ingalls Wilder books and original illustrations and, notably, five original oil paintings by Harvey Dunn — the celebrated South Dakota artist who grew up near De Smet and whose work defined the mythology of the Great Plains frontier. The library holds roughly 23,549 volumes and circulates nearly 44,000 items per year for a population of around 1,077, making it one of the most actively used small-town libraries in the state. Members can access OverDrive/Libby eBooks and audiobooks through the South Dakota State Library statewide program. The library received star ratings in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, reflecting high per-capita use.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Located in Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little Town on the Prairie" — the real De Smet where she lived from 1879 and set five of her Little House books
- Five original Harvey Dunn oil paintings on permanent display — rare holdings for a small-town public library
- Laura Ingalls Wilder display case featuring her books and original illustrations
- Established 1928 in Brewer's Variety Store; children's wing added in 2003; Library Journal star-rated for per-capita use
- Holds 23,549 volumes and circulates ~44,000 items per year — an exceptionally high circulation rate for a town of ~1,077
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
De Smet cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks and access statewide research databases free through South Dakota's digital programs:
📚 Services
- Book, audiobook, CD, DVD, and magazine checkout
- De Smet News on microfilm
- Laura Ingalls Wilder display case and Harvey Dunn original paintings
- 4 public computers with high-speed internet
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fax and copy service
- Interlibrary loan through South Dakota Share-IT (nominal fee)
- Income tax forms
- Test proctoring
- Large-print books and reference materials
🎸 Programs
- Children's Summer Reading Program
- Book discussion groups (One Book South Dakota participant)
- Author Teas
- Children's story hour and youth programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in East-Central South Dakota
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in De Smet · Browse all South Dakota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library connected to Laura Ingalls Wilder?
Yes, in a meaningful way. The library is located in De Smet, South Dakota — the real "Little Town on the Prairie" where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived from 1879 and set five of her eight Little House novels. The library maintains a glass display case with Wilder's books and original illustrations. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society operates a separate historic site nearby.
What are the five Harvey Dunn paintings at the library?
The library owns five original oil paintings by Harvey Dunn (1884–1952), a celebrated American illustrator and painter who grew up on a homestead near De Smet. Dunn's work — which appeared in major magazines and defined how Americans pictured frontier life — is prized by collectors; few small-town libraries hold original pieces. The paintings are on permanent display for public viewing.
When did the Hazel L. Meyer Memorial Library first open, and how has it grown?
The library traces its founding to 1928, when De Smet's first public library opened in Brewer's Variety Store. It moved to City Hall in April 1941 and into its own dedicated building in 1968. In the summer of 2003 a new children's wing was built on and the library celebrated its 65th anniversary with a grand opening.
What are the library's hours and is it open on weekends?
The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. On Wednesdays it stays open until 6:00 p.m. The library is closed Saturday and Sunday.
🖨 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.