Jill Roth and Nancy Ritchey of Coralville walk through the newly renovated Coralville Library on May 31, 2008.

More than just books at Iowa libraries

By Jan Clarke

From children’s story times to art exhibits to cultural happenings, there’s always something exciting and diverse going on in Iowa’s public libraries. With an average of six public-access computers in each library, Iowa’s libraries also are great places to turn to for on-the-road Internet access.

Iowa is host to nearly 550 public libraries, so odds are there’s one near you. Check our iGuide to be sure.

In addition, Iowa has 79 academic libraries and several special interest libraries, such as the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch; the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids; the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah; and the African American Historical Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

Researchers can count on the State Library of Iowa in Des Moines for information and statistics on a variety of topics. The State Library of Iowa also has extensive online resources to help with your project.

According to the State Library of Iowa, 101 communities in Iowa were granted more than $1.5 million from Carnegie for the construction of public libraries. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie helped build thousands of libraries across the United States. 

A few of Iowa’s public libraries are in various stages of recovery from the floods of 2008, including Chelsea, Cedar Rapids, Creston, Elkader, Iowa Falls, New Hartford, Rockford, St. Charles, and Waterloo.

The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and the African American Historical Museum of Iowa also were adversely affected.

If you plan to visit any of these libraries, you should check to see if they are operational or have temporarily relocated.

Learn more:

• Iowa Library Association
• State Library of Iowa