With over 24,000 items in its collection, a conference room, a maker space, and a computer lab, Meinders Community Library offers a place to explore, connect, and grow. As part of the Plum Creek Library System in Southwestern Minnesota, our catalog expands to include more than 800,000 items.
We also offer free wireless internet, a children’s play area, special events, author visits, and weekly story times. Throughout the year, various reading programs encourage literacy in patrons of all ages. In addition, the library has a photocopier and fax machine that can be accessed for a minimal fee.
Library usage is open to anyone, while library cards are available to residents in the Plum Creek service area. A valid photo ID and proof of Minnesota residency are required at the time of registration.
Hours
Meinders Library is open year round, though it closes for all major holidays.
- Monday: 10:00am-7:00pm
- Tuesday: 10:00am-7:00pm
- Wednesday: 10:00am-7:00pm
- Thursday: 10:00am-7:00pm
- Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
Directions
Meinders Community Library is located at 220 3rd Ave SE in Pipestone.
North: From Main Street, turn south onto 3rd Avenue SE. We are on the right side of the street a block and a half south of the Fire Station
South: From Highway 30, turn north onto Hiawatha Avenue. At 3rd Street SE, turn right. Take a left onto 3rd Avenue SE. We are on the left side of the street.
East: From Highway 23 by the Dairy Queen, turn west onto 3rd Street SE. Take a right onto 3rd Avenue SE (two blocks past the railroad tracks). We are a block and a half north on the left side of the street.
Staff
- Jody Wacker Director
- Emily Blaeser Children’s Librarian
- Sally Whittle Library Aide
- Kim VanHoeke Library Aide
History
Originally built in 1903/1904, the Carnegie building housed the Pipestone Public Library until 1976. Funding for the library was provided by Andrew Carnegie who donated more than $40 million to help build libraries throughout America between 1886 and 1919.
In 1976, the public library relocated to the high school when the two combined collections and operated as a single community library. In the following years, the library underwent another significant change. When the new school was built on the west side of town, the Herman Meinders family donated $1,000,000 to the project, and the library became Meinders Community Library. In 2022, the library once again relocated–this time moving back to the heart of the community and reverting to a public library.
Throughout these transitions, our mission has remained the same. We strive to be a community hub focused on enriching lives and supporting success of all our patrons.