Central Kansas Library System

1409 Williams St
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone: 800-362-2642 (KS Only)
Open until 4:00 PM

Hours

Sunday

Closed

Monday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Additional information

The Central Kansas Library System improves and supports library service in 17 counties in Central Kansas.

The goal of the Central Kansas Library System is to respond to needs articulated by member librarians and trustees through specific programs that offer a level of service not affordable in local communities. Anyone living within the System boundaries can get the library materials they want by using the collections of local libraries or by contacting CKLS directly.

History
In 1965, the Kansas Legislature established seven regional systems of cooperating libraries to act on the idea of State Librarian of Kansas, LeRoy Fox. Fox proposed levying a tax on rural property in exchange for providing library services to rural residents. In 1967, a group of active citizens who had been working together since the System legislation had been passed hired the first CKLS Administrator, and the System program was underway. Since that time, through successive changes in administration and staff, CKLS has grown and developed, never losing sight of the purposes for which it was created.