More About Westlink Branch Library
In the early 1960s, the City of Wichita annexed a number of unincorporated communities, including Westlink and Country Acres. By 1963, the city library's bookmobile made stops at the Westlink Shopping Center. Head librarian Ford Rockwell expressed interest in having a more permanent presence in the area, and in 1964, the Westlink Branch Library opened in a strip mall on west Central.
In 1976, a subcommittee in a study on library expansion suggested putting funds towards a permanent west branch to replace the storefront Westlink. In 1978, the City of Wichita purchased land on Bekemeyer Lane from Ascension Lutheran Church under the condition that it "be used for the purpose of a public library." This new Westlink opened on January 26, 1981. In 2010, a minor remodeling project included replacing the service desk, adding self-check stations, doubling the number of public computer stations, and rearranging materials. With that project, Westlink also became the first Wichita Public Library location to offer self-service hold pickup.
A major addition and renovation project began in 2023 that nearly doubled the building's square footage and re-imagined its interior. On March 24, 2025, the remodeled Westlink Branch Library opened its doors to the public. The building's new features include a dividable meeting room, classroom, multiple small group and study spaces, and a drive-up window.
Amenities
Collaboration and Study Rooms
- Two collaboration rooms (seating for eight; videoconferencing capable) and three study rooms (seating for two, three, or four people; no equipment)
- Reserved for free on a first come, first-served basis beginning a week prior to reservation date
- One two-hour reservation per person per day
- Book a collaboration or study room
Computers
Drive-up Window
- Return items without leaving your car
- Pick up your hold requests
Faxing
- $1 per page
- Outgoing only
- Local or long distance within the United States
Meeting Rooms
- Classroom: Estimated maximum capacity of 16 people
- Conference Room (full space): Estimated maximum capacity of 120 people
- Conference Room (half): Estimated maximum capacity of 60 people
- Request a meeting room
Mobile Printing
Outdoor Children's Area
Sensory Room
- Reserved for free on a first come, first-served basis beginning a week prior to reservation date
- One one-hour reservation per person per day
- Book the sensory room
Vending Machines
Wi-Fi
- Log in with your library card number and password
