Wellington Public Library

Hours

Monday and Wednesday: 9:30am-6:00pm 

Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30am - 8:30pm 

Friday: 9:30am-5:00pm 

Saturday: 9:30am-4:00pm 

Sunday: Closed 

History

The first library was opened by a lawyer named William Black in 1884-1885, a small lending library. In 1898 the Prentis Study group was organized and maned for Mrs. Noble Prentis of Topeka, wife of a widely known Kansas writer and historian, who was herself a leader in the Women’s Federated Club Movement. In 1899, Mrs. Prentis came to visit the club named after her and suggested that the young ladies find some worthwhile project to work on; thus was born the idea of a library for Wellington. When the new city hall was being built, the club women were promised two rooms on the second floor, one to be used for the library. The Prentis Study Club asked the mayor to arrange for the city to take over the library. The Wellington Library Association, with a capital stock of $5,000.00 sold at $1.00 per share, was set up. The Women’s Federation donated $1,200.00 for furnishings. In March 1908, it was determined to incorporate the library under state law relating to public library, but it was voted to maintain the name Prentis Library.