Mission

Sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning.

The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is a landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique (bookstore and gift shop), free meeting rooms, computer training and free WiFi access. Learn what’s happening at your library by keeping up with Library News Update delivered to your email inbox.

Located in the heart of Shawnee County, the library has a physical and digital collection of more than 1.4 million items. Library cardholders checked out 1.7 million items in 2021. Our bookmobiles make 18 stops six days a week traveling across the county. We provide services to 55 senior living facilities and 85 homebound individuals. Our website and mobile app serve customers’ needs 24/7. The library offers state-of-the art technology, youth programs that encourage learning and reading, accessibility services addressing the needs of older readers and persons with disabilities, and reference and research tools.

The library is a great meeting venue for community groups and is a cultural hub for art, music and literature. People of all ages discover and experience art at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. We connect individuals to culture, art and artists – both modern and classic. The gallery is also recognized for two national art competitions and its annual art exhibit for children. Professional exhibits from the library’s permanent collection (the oldest in the city) as well as traveling exhibits draw nearly 20,000 visitors annually.

Our Values

  • Excellence
    We create experiences that anticipate our community’s diverse needs and exceed expectations.
  • Curiosity
    We are hungry to learn, create and innovate. We inspire our community to do the same.
  • Literacy
    We help people make their lives better by providing the tools to successfully navigate the world.
  • Freedom
    We welcome everyone in the community. We support and defend our customers’ right to access information without judgment.
  • Teamwork
    We build stronger communities through mutual trust, collaboration and shared goals.
  • Accountability
    We serve the needs of the entire community by using resources responsibly, fairly and transparently.