On March 5, 2019, the community of Holts Summit welcomed its own Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) location. The new branch replaced the popular bookmobile visits that had served the community for 62 years and the Library-To-Go lockers and book drop that had been at City Hall since 2013. The lockers and book drop were moved to the new library so residents could continue to have 24-hour access to pick up items on reserve and to return library materials. Since the new library opened, check-outs in Holts Summit have exceeded those from the bookmobile stops and lockers combined. In 2023, nearly 24,000 visits were made to the Holts Summit Public Library and almost 61,000 items were borrowed by patrons there.
Initially, the library was open 20 hours a week. After a tax levy increase was approved by Callaway County voters in 2020, we were able to expand library hours to 51 per week. The library is now open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We want to thank Holts Summit developer Marty Wilson, the Holt Summit Community Empowerment Foundation and property owner Dr. Joseph Wang for their leadership and support in helping DBRL open a public library in Holts Summit,” said Callaway library manager Sara Henry. “We also thank the voters for their support. There is so much more we have been able to do for the community. We love being able to share the resources that we have with our patrons.”
People with a library card can check out books in a variety of formats (including eBooks, audiobooks and large print), movies, TV shows and music CDs and access online resources. The library also provides a community meeting room, internet-enabled computers and free wireless access, as well as programs for adults, teens and children.
Over the years, the library has received favorable comments from patrons about how wonderful it is to have a library in town:
“The Holts Summit branch of DBRL is one of the best things to ever happen to HS.”
“We are grateful for all the things the Holts Summit Library does for our community. You all are doing such a nice job to encourage all ages to read & other activities. Thanks.”
“Love our library and the people working there are always so pleasant and helpful.”