The town of Monowi, Nebraska has only one resident. It also has a 5,000 book library. Elsie Eiler is the last person living in Monowi. The next to last resident was her late husband Rudy who loved books. When Rudy died of cancer, Elsie made his book collection into a community library.

Rudy’s Library in Monowi, Nebraska (LA Times photo)
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The one room library has a bare plywood floor and there is no heat. What it does have is about 5,000 books. “Rudy's Library is less than 350 square feet. The books are worn, disorganized and eclectic beyond description…it's impossible not to linger.”
Elsie runs a tavern with a lunch counter. She tells people who come in for an egg sandwich, “go up and take a look.” The library runs on the honor system: Take what you want, return it when you can.

Elsie Eiler in Rudy’s Library (LA Times photo)
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The population of Monowi has always been less than 150 and no larger in physical size than three blocks by four blocks. In 1971, the population was down to 22. The town of Monowi is located about 100 miles west of Sioux City on route 12. Full story can be found here.
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