Plans for a library in the Hardin County town of Steamboat Rock were made in 1958 when members of the community progress club collected books and funds. The first library opened the following year within a room in the town hall, where it remained until for three years. At that time, the old telephone company building was donated for use as a library, with an open house held on June 25, 1962.
Upgrades were made to the interior in 1968, while in 1974, the front of the building was renovated with the addition of brick facing and a front porch for a cost of $5,000. The building continues to serve as the library today; it’s open six days each week.
The public library in the Clarke County town of Murray was organized in April 1935 by resident Leila Kane. Kane worked with local organizations to create plans and secure funds to setup the library, which opened in the IOOF building with a collection of 35 books. The Murray Lions Club played a significant role in growing the library by collecting 1,000 books in a book drive then providing space in their building, where the library remained until the early 1970s. The library then moved to its current location, sharing space with the community center.
The Joice Federated Society Club held a special meeting in the spring of 1961 to discuss the establishment of a public library. The meeting featured two area residents spoke of their success in establishing a library in nearby Grafton, and by the end, a decision was made to move forward with the project. By July, the goal was a reality, with an open house held to celebrate the town’s first public library, located in a room within the Joice Fire Station.
By 1965, money had been raised to begin construction of a new library building. The 1,200-square-foot brick building was completed in October for an estimated cost of $14,000. Interior details were finished and books were moved in time for a grand opening at the new library on December 18, 1965.
In 1960, members of Grafton’s Federated Woman’s club sought assistance from the North Central Area Extension Service and Iowa State Traveling Library to setup a plan to establish a small community library. The town council agreed to appoint a library board, set aside funds for the library, and establish a public library in a small room at the pumping station.
The library quickly outgrew its space, so the board began raising funds for construction of a new library. Fundraising culminated with a one-day “Harvest Festival” in October 1964, which yielded $2,000 for the new building. In 1965, Northwood contractors were hired to construct the 1,200-square-foot library which included a kitchen work-room, two restrooms and a fully-furnished basement. Construction was completed quickly, with an open house held August 25, 1965.
Plans for a public library in the Worth County town of Fertile began in the spring of 1967, when the town council appointed a board of trustees to establish a library. The board held its first official meeting in August 1967; space was quickly secured, and the first Fertile Public Library opened on October 21, 1967. Three years later, efforts began to raise funds for a permanent library building.
Construction on the current, $18,000 library began in July 1970, with many residents donating labor and supplies to build the brick and cement block building. Books and shelves were moved on December 3, 1970, with an open house held shortly after.
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