Rawlins Municipal Library
🏢 South Dakota Library Network (SDLN) · Pierre, South Dakota
Rawlins Municipal Library
Rawlins Municipal Library is Pierre's public library and the heart of South Dakota's capital city, named in honor of early schools superintendent R. E. Rawlins and successor to the 1905 Carnegie Library that served the city until 1972, with a dedicated South Dakota Room for state history research.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | 12pm–4pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1000 E. Church St, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-7421
Website: cityofpierre.org
Plus Code: 85PX9M96+RJ (Pierre, SD)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Rawlins Municipal Library
Pierre's public library history begins in March 1905 when the city's Carnegie Library formally opened, funded by an Andrew Carnegie grant. That building served patrons for over 65 years until 1972, when the city moved library operations to the current Rawlins Municipal Library — named for R. E. Rawlins, a dedicated schools superintendent who shaped public education in early Pierre. The original Carnegie building was damaged by fire in 1994 during renovation work and demolished in 1995. Today Rawlins Municipal Library is a department of the City of Pierre and receives co-funding from the City of Fort Pierre, holding approximately 79,309 volumes. It is a member of the South Dakota Library Network (SDLN) and offers free library cards to residents of Pierre, Fort Pierre, Hughes County, and Stanley County. Its South Dakota Room provides a focused collection of state historical materials, and the library supports digital lending through Libby alongside in-person services such as homebound delivery and interlibrary loan.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for R. E. Rawlins, South Dakota's capital city schools superintendent — successor to Pierre's 1905 Andrew Carnegie grant library
- South Dakota Room — a dedicated collection of state history, genealogy, and regional reference materials
- Open seven days a week including evenings Mon–Thu until 8pm and Sundays noon–4pm
- Holds approximately 79,309 volumes and serves Pierre, Fort Pierre, Hughes County, and Stanley County residents free of charge
- Member of the South Dakota Library Network (SDLN) with digital lending through Libby
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Rawlins cardholders can borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and research databases free through the South Dakota Library Network:
📚 Services
- South Dakota Room — state history, genealogy, and regional reference collection
- Free library cards for Pierre, Fort Pierre, Hughes County, and Stanley County residents
- Homebound selection service for residents unable to visit in person
- Interlibrary loan through the South Dakota Library Network
- Outside book drops for returning items any time, day or night
- Public computers, wireless internet access, and printing
- Classes and workshops for digital literacy
- DVDs, music CDs, and magazines in addition to books
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes and children's programming
- Arts activities and creative workshops
- Digital literacy classes and tech help workshops
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Community programs and educational events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central South Dakota
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Pierre · Browse all South Dakota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was R. E. Rawlins, and why is the library named after him?
Robert E. Rawlins was a schools superintendent who played a formative role in public education in early Pierre, South Dakota. The municipal library was renamed in his honor to recognize his contributions to community learning. His son, Robert (Bob) Ernest Rawlins (1911–1993), became an American philanthropist.
What is the South Dakota Room at Rawlins Municipal Library?
The South Dakota Room is a dedicated collection of state history, genealogy materials, and regional reference resources for researchers interested in South Dakota's past. Access requires a Rawlins library card in good standing with a Pierre, Fort Pierre, Hughes County, or Stanley County address.
What happened to Pierre's Carnegie Library?
The Pierre Carnegie Library formally opened in March 1905 with an Andrew Carnegie grant and served the city until 1972, when operations moved to the new Rawlins Municipal Library. In 1994 the old Carnegie building was severely damaged when workers using torches to remove paint accidentally started a fire; the city demolished the structure in 1995.
Who qualifies for a free library card at Rawlins Municipal Library?
Free library cards are available to residents of Pierre, Fort Pierre, Hughes County, and Stanley County. The library also offers a homebound selection service for residents who are unable to visit in person due to mobility or health limitations.
📜 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.
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