Established in 1868, the Yankton Community Library is the oldest public library in the Dakota Territory. Moving from its 1906 Carnegie building to its current site at 515 Walnut in 1974, the Library provides information, recreational, cultural and educational needs through a wide variety of materials, services and programs. Patrons have access to library computers as well as wireless computer and printer access.

As a member of the South Dakota Library Network (SDLN), the Library offers access to the collections of 85 libraries, including university, college, public and hospital libraries, throughout the state, as well as links to other libraries throughout the United States. Governed by a mayoral-appointed board of five, the Library strives to be a mainstay within the community with a friendly staff always available to be of service to patrons.

The library holds 70,000 books, 150 magazine and newspaper subscriptions, a videocassette/DVD collection, music CDs and an audiobook collection.