Since 1902, the Joplin Public Library has been fulfilling the information needs of citizens of Joplin and the surrounding community. The Library works hard to open tomorrow's doors today through diverse opportunities to learn, create, explore, and have fun. Materials are available in a variety of formats -- books, audiobooks, DVDs, e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming video. They also offer a robust WiFi network, meeting rooms, study rooms, programming for all ages, a makerspace, and a variety of other services. Helping to meet the needs of very young children and their families, the Library has the distinction of being a Family Place Library, offering developmentally appropriate opportunities for play and early literacy development. Their new building, built in 2017, serves as an example for other libraries of how libraries change to meet community needs in the face of changing times.
