Category Archives: Public Libraries

Public Libraries

Public Library (Rippey, Iowa)

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Public Library (Rippey, Iowa)

Efforts to start a Public Library in the Greene County community of Rippey began as early in 1928. By 1930, a collection of 1,825 books had been contributed to the library organization and were stored on a shelving unit near the back of the local mercantile store. The library was later moved to a room in the Rippey Savings Bank, leased to the library organization at an annual rate of $50. The city officially began contributions to the library in September 1945, and on April 17, 1965, the library moved to its current location, previously home to a sundries store.

When the local Masonic Lodge disbanded in summer 2010, the organization agreed to donate their lodge hall to the City of Rippey for use as as Library and Community Center. An estimated $200,000 is needed to renovate the building, which will provide the library with significantly more space. Planned renovations include new roof, siding, installation of windows, and enlargement of an entrance for handicapped accessibility. As of December 2010, $70,000 of the $200,000 had been secured by the non-profit Friends of Rippey organization.

To contribute to the remodeling project, contact Velda DeMoss, President of Friends of Rippey, at (515) 436-7679 or mail a donation to FOR, Treasurer Sharon Ulrich, 2121 Terrace Avenue, Rippey, IA 50235.

Public Libraries

Public Library (Ashton, Iowa)

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Public Library (Ashton, Iowa)

In 1935, a cupboard in the local American Legion Hall served as the first library in the Osceola County community of Ashton. The cupboard collection consisted of 50 books borrowed from the Iowa State Traveling Library in addition to a growing number of books donated by the community. By 1940, 408 books had been collected and the library was relocated to the shelves of the Legion Hall kitchen. By 1946, the books were relocated to the old town hall and in 1950, the Ashton City Council officially approved monetary support of the Public Library.

After three years of work to obtain funds for a bigger facility, the present library location opened its doors in May 1973. Other notable moments in the library’s history include acquisition of a public computer in 1992, installation of an outdoor drop box in 1995, and the addition of DVDs to the collection in 2002. Patrons to the Ashton Public Library now have access to over 12,000 books, 600 VHS videos, 250 DVD videos, 180 audio books, and approximately 50 magazines.

City Halls, Post Offices, Public Libraries

Community Building (Corwith, Iowa)

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Community Building (Corwith, Iowa)

Construction of a new community building was jumpstarted in 2004 when the late E. Lucille Miller left the Hancock Community of Corwith with a $100,000 donation. The state-of-the-art building includes city offices, the Public Library, and the Post Office. With a population of 309, the community has seen other improvements from private donations: Corwith native Bill Bonnstetter purchased the former Baptist Church and remodeled it for use as a spacious community center, and local business Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm committed $200,000 toward a new fire station, to be constructed in early 2012.

Corwith is part of the Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne School District. A recent article in the Mason City Globe Gazette noted the district high school had the highest average ACT score in Iowa for 2006-2007, and has averaged over 23 points three of the past five years. (The national average score is 21.2.)

Public Libraries

Public Library (Elberon, Iowa)

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Public Library (Elberon, Iowa)

Likely one of the youngest libraries in the state, the Elberon Public Library opened its doors on June 9, 1990. It originally opened as a branch of the library in Keystone, a community seven miles west of Elberon. The Keystone Public Library agreed to offer advice along with a loan of 200 books, while the City of Elberon agreed to allow the library to use the meeting room in the local community center.

As the library collection grew, so did the need for a larger library space. On February 13, 2006, the Elberon Public Library officially opened in a permanent space in the front of the expanded Elberon Community Center.  The new space led to a growth in visitors and circulation, with 483 more visitors and 1,001 more items checked out in 2006.  The library now holds over 5,000 books, 500 videos, and checked out nearly 6,000 items to community members in 2010.