Independence Public Library (IPL) is a small public library that has stood in the same location for more than 100 years, serving a diverse community in rural southeast Kansas. IPL acts as a cultural and informational center for the community and surrounding area, striving to provide quality resources and programs for a diverse audience. In 2012, the library was named "The Best Small Library in America" by the Library Journal. Since the award, the library has worked to develop cutting-edge, thought-provoking, scholar-led, topical programs to initiate conversations throughout the community.