Cawker City Public Library
Home of the World's Largest Ball of Twine
Free books, computers, Wi-Fi, story time, and more — for every resident of Cawker City and Mitchell County, Kansas.
The World's Largest Ball of Twine
In 1953, Mitchell County farmer Frank Stoeber started wrapping sisal twine in his barn — and simply never stopped. By the time he donated his creation to the town of Cawker City in 1961, the ball already contained nearly 1.6 million feet of twine.
Today the ball lives under an open-air gazebo on Wisconsin Avenue (US-24) — Cawker City's main street — and has grown to over 8 million feet of twine weighing more than 20,000 pounds. Visitors come from all fifty states and dozens of countries to see this remarkable piece of roadside Americana.
Each summer, the town hosts the famous Twine-a-thon — visitors are invited to add their own twine to the ball. It's a beloved tradition that keeps the ball growing and celebrates Cawker City's unique place in American culture. Ask us for directions; it's just a short walk from the library on Wisconsin Ave!
Hours & Location
Walk-in visits welcome during all open hours.
Library Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Thursday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays. Call ahead to confirm.
Find Us
802 Locust StreetCawker City, KS 67430
Librarian: Kathy Bowles
Search Our Catalog
Find books, audiobooks, DVDs, and more in our collection.
Programs & Events
Free, fun, and open to the community. Call for current schedules.
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Story Time (Kid Kapers)
Storytelling, songs, and crafts for infants through five-year-olds. Builds early literacy and a love of reading.
Ages 0–5 -
Summer Reading Program
Keep kids reading all summer with our annual challenge. Prizes, activities, and reading logs for children and teens.
June – August -
Twine-a-thon
Join the legendary August festival! Bring your own twine and add to the World's Largest Ball. A Cawker City tradition you'll never forget.
Every August -
Adult Programs & Crafts
Periodic craft workshops, Pinterest classes, local history presentations, and community gatherings for adults. Ask staff for upcoming events.
Adults -
Homework Help
Quiet study space, reference materials, and staff assistance for K–12 students. Free Homework Kansas tutoring available online 24/7.
Students K–12 -
Book & Reading Club
Join community readers for monthly discussion. New titles chosen each season. All levels welcome — just bring your enthusiasm!
All Ages
Free Digital Resources
Available to all Kansas residents with a library card — access from home 24/7.
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eBooks & Audiobooks
Borrow digital books and audiobooks free with your library card via Kansas Digital Library.
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Heritage Quest
Genealogy database with census records, family histories, and primary source documents for Kansas research.
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Homework Kansas
Free live tutoring for students of all ages, 24/7. Plus encyclopedias, test prep, and research guides.
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Blue Skyways
Kansas-focused digital services including databases, local news archives, and online reference tools.
Library Board
The board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the library. Meetings are open to the public.
For current board member names, see the library's board page.
Get in Touch
We love hearing from our community. Stop by, call, or email — we're here to help.
Contact Information
- 802 Locust Street, Cawker City, KS 67430
- (785) 781-4925
- cawkerlib@nckcn.com
- Librarian: Kathy Bowles
- cawkercitypl.blogspot.com
Send Us a Message
Accessibility Statement
The Cawker City Public Library is committed to ensuring that this website is accessible to people with disabilities. This site is built to conform with WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria.
We use semantic HTML5, keyboard-navigable interfaces, sufficient color contrast (≥4.5:1), alternative text for all images, and accessible forms throughout.
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If you encounter any accessibility barrier, please contact us: (785) 781-4925 or cawkerlib@nckcn.com.
Note: This is a demonstration site built by Chicha Technology, LLC (ModernWeb). It is not the official Cawker City Public Library website.