Hot Springs County Library
🏢 Hot Springs County Library · Thermopolis, Wyoming
Hot Springs County Library
The Hot Springs County Library in Thermopolis carries a Carnegie legacy — a Women of the West reading room opened in 1902, and by 1919 a Carnegie-funded library stood as the county's cultural anchor. The current building on Arapahoe Street opened in 1966, funded by a generous bequest, and today serves the world's largest mineral hot springs community with robust STEM, storytime and book-club programming.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 344 Arapahoe Street, Thermopolis, WY 82443
Phone: (307) 864-3104
Website: hsclibrary.org
Plus Code: 85MHJQXR+2J (Thermopolis, WY)
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📖 About Hot Springs County Library
The Hot Springs County Library serves Thermopolis and all of Hot Springs County from its home at 344 Arapahoe Street. The library's story begins in 1902, when the Women of the West club established a reading room; by 1904 a modest collection was housed in the courthouse, and the growing community applied for Carnegie Foundation support. A $17,500 Carnegie grant was awarded in 1917, and on September 12, 1919, the Thermopolis Carnegie Library held its grand opening celebration. In 1962 a retired priest left a substantial bequest to the county; with those funds a larger, purpose-built library opened in 1966. The Carnegie building was preserved and repurposed as city offices. Today the library holds some 47,530 volumes, circulates roughly 43,484 items annually, and participates in Wyoming's WYLD network, giving every cardholder free access to GoWYLD digital resources including eBooks, audiobooks and research databases.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie legacy: Women of the West reading room 1902; Carnegie Library grand opening September 12, 1919
- Current building funded by a 1962 bequest — opened 1966; the original Carnegie building survives as city offices
- Collection of 47,530 volumes circulating 43,484 items per year for Hot Springs County
- Active programming: STEM afternoons, toddler storytime, teen book club, Lego Club Fridays at 3:30pm
- Located in Thermopolis, home to the world's largest mineral hot springs and Hot Springs State Park
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hot Springs County cardholders access Wyoming's full GoWYLD digital library free of charge:
📚 Services
- Public computers, internet access and free Wi-Fi
- Printing and copying services
- Quiet study space
- Interlibrary loan through Wyoming's WYLD network
- Children's Room with dedicated youth programs
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks and magazines via GoWYLD
🎸 Programs
- Toddler storytime (Wednesday & Thursday, 10:30am)
- After-school activities and STEM afternoons
- Teen book club
- Lego Club (Fridays, 3:30pm)
- Adult craft nights
- Monthly dinner and a movie
- Community presentations and author talks
- Summer reading challenge
- Family game nights
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central Wyoming
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Thermopolis · Browse all Wyoming libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Hot Springs County Library's Carnegie connection?
The library's roots go back to 1902 when the Women of the West club opened a reading room in Thermopolis. By 1904 the collection had moved into the courthouse. The community applied for Carnegie Foundation funding, which was granted in 1917. On September 12, 1919, the Thermopolis Carnegie Library opened its doors. The Carnegie building was later preserved as city offices when a new library opened in 1966.
How was the current library building funded, and when did it open?
In 1962, a retired priest passed away and left a substantial bequest to Hot Springs County. Those funds made it possible to construct a larger, purpose-built library, which opened in 1966. The original 1919 Carnegie building was not demolished — it was converted into city offices and still stands today.
What regular programs does the Hot Springs County Library offer?
The library runs a busy schedule of recurring programs: toddler storytime meets Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m., Lego Club gathers Fridays at 3:30 p.m., a teen book club meets monthly, and adult craft nights and a monthly dinner-and-a-movie event round out the calendar. STEM afternoons and after-school activities serve school-age kids. A summer reading challenge runs each year.
Can I access digital books and research tools with my Hot Springs County library card?
Yes. Your library card gives you free access to GoWYLD, Wyoming's statewide digital platform, which includes Libby for borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks, downloadable magazines and audiobooks through the GoWYLD Digital Library, and a full suite of research databases covering genealogy, health, science and business. All resources are available on computers, tablets and smartphones.
🖨 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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