Hesston Public Library has proudly served the Hesston community since 1937, when it began as a project of the Hesston Women’s Civic Club. Volunteers staffed the library for its first decades.

In 1967, the library became a public, tax-supported library.

In 1972, a bond issue was passed, and the city acquired the old Post Office building at 110 E. Smith St. to house the public library collection. The space was remodeled and expanded in 1981, then again expanded in 1990 to utilize the former KG & E building which adjoined the facility.

In 2010, the library moved to a new 10,000-square-foot facility at 300 N. Main St. The new building features a Community Room, a Hesston History Room, the Southern Star Fireside Reading Area, a self-serve coffee area, expanded children and young adult areas, and public computers, in addition to the array of library services available to the community. 

In 2015, the Hesston Public Library was named the “Best Small Public Library in Kansas” by the Kansas Library Association, and in 2020 a Four Star Library in America by Library Journal.

Hesston Public Library History

• 1938 – Hesston Public Library established by Hesston Women’s Civic Club.
  The library was staffed by volunteers of the Civic Club.  Books are collected and stored in locked cages in City Hall.
• 1967 – Hesston Public Library becomes the official city library and the first librarian was hired.
• 1972 – The city moves the library to the former post office building and passes a bond issue to support the move.
• 1978 – The first professional librarian – Marianne Eichelberger is hired by the city.
• 1981 – The first library remodel took place to accommodate the library for the next 10 years.
• 1986 – Hesston Public Library was recognized by the University of Illinois Research Center as one of 50 outstanding public libraries in the United States
• 1987 – The library was upgraded to Core status in the Kansas Library Network.
• 1987 – The first automated circulation system is installed.
• 1989 – Core funding begins from the Kansas Library Network
• 1989 – Marianne Eichelberger resigns and Chris Buller takes the helm at HPL
• 1989 – HPL earns a grant from the Interlibrary Loan Development Program through the Kansas Library Network for the purchase of books and videos on quilts and quilting.
• 1990 – HPL receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation and Title 110 funding for a project to enlarge and remodel the library.
• 1991 – Groundbreaking takes place for the expansion, construction and remodel of the library, adding 1,750 square feet.

• 1992 – The new 1,750 square-foot addition is completed and put into use.
• 1993 – The South Central Kansas Library System awarded a matching grant for the purchase of a KLC CD-ROM workstation computer.
• 1994 – HPL received a matching grant from the State Library for the purchase of a high-speed modem to use to access the Information Network of Kansas.
• 1996 – The paper card catalogue takes a back seat to on-line computer access to library holdings.
• 1997 – HPL celebrates its 60th anniversary with a carpet, paint and color scheme makeover.
• 1999 – The library upgraded computer hardware, software and local computer network for Y2K compliance.
• 2001 – HPL was awarded a competitive grant from the South Central Kansas Library System to purchase one of three new computers to replace outdated equipment in the library’s local network.
• 2002 – Ellen Voth was honored for 25 years of service.
• 2002 – HPL earns a technology grant to purchase a remote scanner for inventory use.
• 2003 – South Central Kansas Library System awarded HPL a matching technology grant for the purchase of another computer for the library’s network.
• 2003 – Karen White was honored for 25 years of service.
• 2004 – South Central Kansas Library System awarded HPL a technology improvement grant.
• 2005 – South Central Kansas Library System awarded HPL a technology improvement grant.
• 2006 – South Central Kansas Library System awarded HPL a technology improvement grant.
• 2007 – Ellen Voth was honored for 30 years of service.
• 2007 – A grant to partially covered costs for a professional feasibility study for a new library facility was awarded by South Central Kansas Library System. Architect Bill Morris from Augusta was hired for the project.
• 2008 – Karen White was honored for 30 years of service
• 2008 – The City of Hesston purchased office property for renovation and expansion as an upgraded library building.  Hans Fischer of Lawrence did the primary design work.
• 2009 – HPL Hosts a summer of Kansas/Nebraska Chautauqua events.
• 2009 – Chris Buller retires from HPL and Cari Kusick was hired as director.
• 2009 – Regier Construction begins renovations at 300 N. Main as the site of HPL. 
• 2010 – The new HPL building is opened at 300 N. Main.
• 2012 – HPL joins the South Central Kansas Automation Network and is awarded a competitive grant to help finance the project.
• 2013 – Ellen Voth and Karen White retire from HPL with 37 and 36 years of service, respectively.
• 2013 – A legacy fund is established to purchase books chosen by Voth and White.
• 2014 – Grants were received to purchase Kansas Noteable Book Award winners and books on dogs and pets identified through the Mutt-i-grees in the Library program.
• 2014 – Therapy dog Bill begins regular visit to HPL for Books With Bill reading time for children.
• 2015 – HPL earns the distinction as Best Small Library in Kansas by the Kansas Library Association.
• 2015 – HPL earns grant funding for the special collection and digital archiving of artifacts from the 1990 Hesston tornado.
• 2020 – HPL earns a Four Star rating from the American Library Journal.
• 2021 – HPL expands community services to include a community Podcast – Lovin’ The Real H-Town
• 2023 – HPL expands its footprint adding a new outdoor space sponsored by the Women’s Community Foundation, Harvey Thiessen, Hesston Machine and Welding and the City of Hesston.