Community women used $45 to organize a volunteer reading room in the Sweeney Building.  The reading room had donated books and magazines and a free subscription to the Minneapolis Journal.

Newly chartered by the territorial government, the Rapid City Library Association raised $600 seed money in February to build a library. Library Hall was built on the corner of 6th and Kansas City Streets on land donated by John Brennan; the flag pole was erected in March.

Library Hall was a 32’ x 85’ wood-frame reading room, library, and theater. It featured a 25’ stage, seated 450, and it contained 500 volumes of biography, poetry, science, and fiction. Librarian Lida Mitchell earned $5 a month. The reading room was open six hours a week, and readers could borrow one book at a time.

Membership was limited to 100 persons for a $12 share plus a $9 initiation fee and $4 annual dues. The Association was free of debt by 1887. Library Hall served the community until the turn of the century as a library, the Methodist and Congregational churches, a civic center for social, political, and civic activities, lectures, concerts, ballroom dances, and funerals.

Members of the Currents Events Club (still active today) proposed a tax levy to revive library services and pave the way for a Carnegie Library. A letter to the editor  compared the tax per citizen equal to the value of two cigars. In a municipal vote of 115 to 88, a one mill levy was passed and free library services were offered in a succession of rented locations. The 6th and Saint Joseph Street corner room of the Flormann Block was rented for $15 a month and Miss Rose Bower was appointed librarian. John C. Bower, her father and president of the Rapid City Free Library Association, maintained an apartment behind the library room for Rose and her sister Laura.

1904

Rose Bower resigned, and Laura Bower became librarian.

1905

169 new books were purchased with $30 from the library fund and $70 raised from a talent show benefit play called Captain Racket.

The library may have moved next door into what was the Todden-Worth Building on 6th Street, then back again into the Flormann Building. Laura Bower married Claude C. Van Nuys - whom she met at the library. Their son, Maxwell Van Nuys, later wrote, “Lillian Nyswanger wanted the librarianship at the same time and resented it going to Laura, who had been her friend, and never forgave her. (Thereafter, Lillian could never pass my mother in the street without making a face.)”

Lillian Nyswanger, to whom legend assigns a quick temper, finally became librarian. Several histories claim she was forced to resign after throwing a book at a patron. In 1973, Laura Van Nuys told interviewer David Super that Lillian Nyswanger was “one of the few people in those days that had read every book we had in the library...she had a different personality, but was certainly not given to such brash actions as (throwing a book at a patron).”

Leora J. Lewis was appointed librarian.

1912

The library moved into a corner room in the Elks Building for $60 monthly rent - which was later reduced to $35.

1913

The library received advice from the State Free Library Commission on how to apply for a Carnegie grant for a new library building.

1914

The Library Board, appointed by the city according to state law, formally applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant. The ensuing process to meet requirements resulted in a site dispute which was ultimately settled in State Supreme Court. Library Hall was removed to make way for the new Carnegie Library on the northwest corner of 6th and Kansas City Streets.

The building of the new Carnegie library began with a $12,500 grant.

1916

The new Carnegie Library opened its doors. The Rapid City Journal described the opening ceremony: “... all expressed themselves as being pleased with everything from the large library room with its many shelves, books, drinking fountain, chairs and tables, to the conveniences below including the charming little assembly room for the use of clubs and committee meetings."

1918

Leora Lewis moved to Pierre to become the State Librarian and was eventually replaced by Marjorie Smith, who held the position until her death in 1956.

The annual report showed a collection of 4120 volumes and 16,974 loans. The assistant’s monthly salary was raised to $75 and Marjorie Smith’s to $100.

The Rapid City Civic Library Building Association was granted a charter by the State of South Dakota. The purpose of this group was to raise money for the construction of a new library.

1972

On October 24, 1972, the doors opened to a new 28,000 sq. ft. building to serve Rapid Citians. The new facility boasted reading room seating for nearly 200, a spacious children's area, ample office and work space, a magazine/reference room, an art loan display wall, a board/conference room, and a meeting room for groups of up to 60. Rapid City Public Library Board of Trustees members were Faye Crawford, James M. Kuehn, Curtis D. Ireland, Beverly Linderman, and William G. Porter. Serving along with the trustees on the Rapid City Civic Library Building Association, Inc. Board of Directors were Stanford M. Adelstein, Barbara Gunderson, and Dean S. Nauman; Helen Hoyt was Library Director.

A new book drop was installed in the parking lot of the Kmart building.

1976

Blue Stem Woman statue by Dale Lamphere was dedicated. This work was commissioned by the Rapid City Civic Library Building Association and funded by a $50,000 gift from Mrs. Ray Kroc.

1979

The Rapid City Public Library joined the computer age with an online catalog system. An Analysis of the Rapid City Public Library and Its Community was published by library staff to explain how the library meets the needs of the community. A bookmobile service was launched.

The Rapid City Public Library building at 610 Quincy Street is ten years old. Your New Rapid City Public Library 1972-1982 is published with comparative pictures of the interior and exterior.

1984

Helen Hoyt retired as Library Director after nearly 30 years of service. Susan Sandness became the head librarian.

Since 1979, checkouts  increased by 41% and reference and magazine use by 89%. Staffing was down by 11%, and the Library relied on over 500 volunteer hours to maintain levels of service.

Kathy Fredette begins as Library Director. The library closes temporarily for new paint and carpet.

1997-98

Technology grants provide a computer network and the library launched its first website which enabled Internet users to browse the South Dakota Library Network. 

Greta Chapman begins as Library Director.

1999

The Electronic Resource Center, a computer area of Internet access machines, was dedicated. A contract with Pennington County was signed to provide library services to Pennington County residents.

After several years of planning, the library presented an expansion plan to the city’s Vision 2012 capital improvements program. Approval for a new 19,000 sq. ft. addition to be built above the west parking lot was given on the condition of the library raising $500,000.

2001

The Library Foundation successfully raised over $650,000. On March 19th, the Rapid City Library Foundation Board presented a ceremonial check to the Rapid City Council symbolizing the completion of their capital fundraising campaign. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new addition took place on August 27, 2001. The project also provided renovation monies to convert the old entrance to a solarium, the creation of a South Dakota Research and Genealogy Room, study room additions and reference desk improvement.

2002

On August 30th, the Youth Services department was moved upstairs into the new space, which included an expanded Young Adult area, study rooms, aviary, and reading loft for young children. A dedication ceremony for the new expansion took place on September 21. Rearrangement of the adult collection stacks, audio and video collections, and adult reading areas concluded in November. The solarium was finished and furnished with western decor and an aquarium of native game fish. Grand opening dedication remarks were made by Library Director Greta Chapman.

2003

In March 2003, wireless access became available in the library. The dedication of the final phase of the expansion: the South Dakota Research and Genealogy Room took place on April 12.

Newspaper Digitization Project

2007

Pennington County Library Services Contract was approved.

A $200,000 space reconfiguration project was completed for the main floor areas.

2008

On January 14, 2008, the library's first satellite site, Rapid City Public Library North, was opened in the new General Beadle Elementary School.  This site offered public library materials and resources from the school library. A Grand Opening and Dedication ceremony for took place on March 8. Speaking at the ceremony were Library Director Greta Chapman, Library Board Chairman James Olson, Mayor Alan Hanks, Superintendent of Schools Peter Wharton, City Councilman Lloyd LaCroix, and Mark Kenefick representing General Beadle Elementary School. Entertainment was provided by the Standing Horse Drum Group and RCPL library staff served a free chili lunch to community members.

On Friday, March 7, 2008, USA TODAY listed the Rapid City Public Library as one of the "10 great places to find a nook and read a book".

The library implemented a new catalog and checkout system, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for library materials.

Hard to find local information was made available online by the Rapid City library and other libraries throughout the Black Hills.

2012

On November 30, 2012: RCPL County/City Public Library East Grand Opening

2013

Greta Chapman resigned as Library Director; Terri Davis served as Interim Director.

2014

Jim McShane begins as Library Director.

Library operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures resulted in the closure of the North Branch Library at General Beadle in March; the closure became permanent in July. The main library was closed from March 16 - May 31, serving the public at the drive-thru window. In order to serve the North Rapid community, and in anticipation of a future bookmobile, a pop-up library service was started in July, with various locations in North and northeast Rapid City.

2024

On May 17th, the new bookmobile was unveiled to the public at an open house at Founders Park. A ribbon cutting was held on May 21st in front of the library. The bookmobile made stops throughout the community Tuesday through Saturday.