Yankton Community Library
🏢 City of Yankton Community Library · Yankton, South Dakota
Yankton Community Library
One of South Dakota's oldest public libraries, Yankton Community Library was established in 1903 in a Carnegie-funded Neoclassical building and now serves the historic Missouri River city — former capital of Dakota Territory and hometown of NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw — from its current home at 515 Walnut Street.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 515 Walnut Street, Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-5275
Website: cityofyankton.org
Plus Code: 86J4VJF4+8G (Yankton, SD)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Yankton Community Library
Yankton Community Library has anchored this southeast South Dakota city since 1903, when a Carnegie Corporation grant funded construction of a Neoclassical library at 4th and Capitol Streets — one of the first Carnegie libraries built in the state. The original building served as the public library until 1973, when the growing collection moved to the current facility at 515 Walnut Street. Today the library holds approximately 85,000 items including books, newspapers, DVDs, audiobooks and a growing Library of Things that includes Toy Bins, Book Club Kits, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots. Yankton — the first capital of Dakota Territory, a Missouri River trading city notable as the birthplace of NBC journalist Tom Brokaw and NFL player Lyle Alzado — supports the library through a five-member board appointed by the mayor along with one city and one county commissioner, with joint funding from the City of Yankton and Yankton County. Through the South Dakota State Library (SDSL), every cardholder can access federally supported electronic databases and Libby eBooks at no cost.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1903 with a Carnegie Corporation grant — one of South Dakota's oldest continuously operating public libraries
- Collection of approximately 85,000 items including books, DVDs, audiobooks, newspapers and a growing Library of Things
- Serves Yankton, the first capital of Dakota Territory and hometown of NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw
- Library of Things includes Toy Bins, Book Club Kits, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout
- Open seven days a week including evenings (until 8 pm Monday–Thursday) and Sunday afternoons
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Yankton cardholders access South Dakota's statewide and library digital resources free of charge:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Yankton residents and Yankton County patrons
- 85,000-item collection including books, DVDs, newspapers, audiobooks and magazines
- Library of Things: Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, Toy Bins and Book Club Kits for checkout
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Access to South Dakota State Library (SDSL) electronic databases
- Community history archive with digitized local newspapers and historical materials
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's story times and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Book Club Kit lending for community reading groups
- Adult programs and community events
- Library events calendar available on the city website
📍 Nearby Libraries in Yankton & Clay Counties, SD
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Yankton · Browse all South Dakota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of Yankton Community Library and its connection to Carnegie?
Yankton Community Library was established in 1903, when a Carnegie Corporation grant funded construction of a Neoclassical building at 4th and Capitol Streets — one of the first Carnegie libraries in South Dakota. That original building served as the public library until 1973, when the collection moved to the current facility at 515 Walnut Street. The historic Carnegie building later became the Lewis and Clark Mental Health Center and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
What is the Library of Things at Yankton Community Library?
The Library of Things is a growing collection of items you can borrow beyond traditional books and media. At Yankton, it includes Toy Bins (themed toy sets for children), Book Club Kits (multiple copies of titles for reading groups), Wi-Fi hotspots and laptops — all available for checkout with a library card as part of the Community Connect initiative.
Is Yankton Community Library open on Sundays and evenings?
Yes. Regular hours are Monday through Thursday 9 am–8 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am–5 pm, and Sunday 1–5 pm. Note that summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are slightly adjusted: Wednesday and Thursday close at 6 pm instead of 8 pm.
What makes Yankton, South Dakota historically significant?
Yankton was the first capital of Dakota Territory and served as a major Missouri River trading hub in the 19th century. It is the hometown of NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw and NFL player Lyle Alzado. The Yankton Carnegie Library building, built in 1902–1903, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
🧰 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.