Libraries near Elk Creek
Elk Creek doesn’t have a public library of its own. The closest is Sunshine Township Library in Mason City, 8.1 miles away. Many small-town libraries give cards to neighbors, sometimes for a yearly fee, so call ahead.
Getting a library card from Elk Creek
Elk Creek borrows from the libraries next door
Elk Creek has no public library of its own, but two libraries are within 10 miles, the closest being Sunshine Township Library in Mason City (8.1 miles). Many small-town libraries give cards to people from neighboring towns, sometimes for a yearly fee, so call ahead. Nearest libraries ↓
The closest isn’t the one open longest
Sunshine Township Library is nearest. Loup City Library, 22 miles away, is open about 29 hours a week, so it may be easier to fit in. Nearest libraries ↓
This summary is written from the numbers on this page. Distances are straight-line from the town center.
The closest is 8.1 miles away
Closest first, measured from the center of Elk Creek. Each one’s hours, and whether it charges late fines.
Libraries next door
Who has a library of their own, and how much each town borrows. Tap a town to see its library.
Loans = print + digital items borrowed in the library’s fiscal year, per person it serves. — = no library of its own, a county or regional system (its numbers cover many towns), or no report.
About these numbers
From the Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024.
- Hours are an average. The survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
- Compared by size. “Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
- The library’s own count. Libraries report their own visits, loans and programs. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Book talk
Reading, story times and the library in Elk Creek.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Libraries: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Each library reports its own numbers. Distances are straight-line from the town center. “What your card is worth” uses typical retail prices and is an estimate, not an official figure.