Category Archives: Public Libraries

Public Libraries

Public Library (Albert City, Iowa)

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Public Library (Albert City, Iowa)

In 1936, thirteen local clubs contributed funds to start a subscription library in the Buena Vista County community of Albert City. The library charged $1 to families who wished to subscribe to the library, with first year membership income totaling $103. The Albert City Public Library was officially established in April 1939 when the city agreed to provide tax support to the organization. Originally located in a portion of the city hall building, the library moved to its own location in 1967, and residents celebrated in 1999 when a brand new library building was dedicated.

The brick library sits along the south side of Main Street in downtown Albert City; upgrades have continued since the new location opened, including a new teen zone in 2009 which features nine new desktop computers. The library is open Monday through Friday.

City Halls, Features, Movie Theatres, Post Offices, Public Libraries

Special Feature: RAGBRAI Overnight Towns

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Sponsored by the Des Moines Register, RAGBRAI is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state and holds the title of oldest, largest, and longest bicycle touring event in the world. The overnight stops for the 39th annual RAGBRAI were revealed this evening. Iowa Backroads has a photo from each town:

Glenwood (Mills County)
Glenwood Public Library (Featured August 12, 2010)


Glenwood Public Library (Glenwood, Iowa)

Atlantic (Cass County)
Atlantic 1 & 2 Theatres

Atlantic Theatre (Atlantic, Iowa)

Continue reading Special Feature: RAGBRAI Overnight Towns →

Carnegie Libraries, Public Libraries

Public Library (Ottumwa, Iowa)

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Public Library (Ottumwa, Iowa)

The historic Ottumwa Public Library sits on the west side of the community’s Central Park. Constructed at a cost of $50,000, the Bedford limestone building opened to the public on September 24, 1902. Ottumwa was the third community in Iowa to receive a library grant from Andrew Carnegie; the two prior grants were awarded to Fairfield and Davenport in 1892 and 1899 respectively.

The 110-year-old building continues to serve the community of Ottumwa, and the library recently underwent a quarter-million dollar in renovations, including new flooring, furniture, and computer space on the main floor.  Two unique attractions can be found inside the historic library: an original Grant Wood painting (Tame Flowers) and 13 Babylonian small clay tablets, which are roughly 4,000 years old and donated to the library in 1927. The Ottumwa Public Library is open Monday through Saturday.

Carnegie Libraries, Public Libraries

Public Library (Colfax, Iowa)

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Public Library (Colfax, Iowa)

On November 5, 1892, the Colfax City Council voted to allow the west room of the second story of the new City Hall building to be used for a public library. On December 16 that year, a meeting was called and the public library association was officially organized. By July 21, 1893, the Library was formally dedicated, and in 1902, the library board began correspondence with Andrew Carnegie to receive money for a new library building. In 1904, a $6,500 grant for a new library was approved and the community began deliberation before work was started.

Lots were purchased for $2,300 on January 12, 1912, and the cornerstone was officially laid October 15, 1912. The new library was completed on March 24, 1913, and dedication ceremonies were held May 14, 1913. The historic building has been well-preserved, with only a handful of changes made since the library opened. In 1915, the library’s annual budget was $1,152.

Public Libraries

Public Library (Waterloo, Iowa)

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Public Library (Waterloo, Iowa)

For the first eighty years following the Waterloo Public Library’s organization in 1896, two separate libraries served the community, with locations on each side of the Cedar River. In 1977, voters in Waterloo approved a $3.6 million bond issue to renovate the former post office and federal building into a new, single library. The project preserved the architectural characteristics of the 1938 building, renovated the interior space to better suit a library, and improve energy efficiency. Visitors will enjoy the two WPA-era murals inside the library, painted in 1940 by Edgar Britton, a student of Grant Wood.