I wrote a tribute earlier to one of the libraries of my childhood-the Hampton Public Library, a beautiful old Carnegie that has been well restored. Now it's time to pay homage to the reopened West Liberty Free Public Library, the library of my adulthood. After almost two years being crammed in a storefront due to repairs too complicated to go into here, books, computers, movies, games, and staff have returned to this wonderful building.
Saturday night the restored building hosted a reception for city officials, the library board, and people who had been helpful in getting the whole thing accomplished. Sunday, doors were open to the public during the citywide Holiday Open House. Teens have made great use of the new young adult area and the kids are awed by the new game room in the basement, designed and executed by a local young man.
I guess libraries are in my blood. My grandmother worked to get a public library in her small Minnesota town. I served on the local library board here for several years, only resigning when we moved to the country and I was no longer eligible. I can't speak for other states but they are certainly a wonderful resource in Iowa. Many people are not aware that libraries in Iowa are independent city entities. They do have to depend on their city councils for much of their funding but the city cannot direct how the funds can be used in order to keep the libraries free to select books and disseminate information.
According to the University of Iowa's Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project:
In 1873, Iowa had become the 10th state to enact legislation that allowed towns to establish and maintain public libraries through taxation. In 1894, the state had granted partial suffrage to women allowing them to vote on "yes" and "no" issues such as the establishment of a public library.
So our libraries are closely tied to freedom of speech and the expansion of women's rights. Many Iowa libraries were started through the efforts of women's groups, especially temperance organizations. If you love libraries, pass it on to your children. If you're not so crazy about them because you think they are dusty, dreary places, check out your local library. I'll bet you are in for a surprise.
I guess libraries are in my blood. My grandmother worked to get a public library in her small Minnesota town. I served on the local library board here for several years, only resigning when we moved to the country and I was no longer eligible. I can't speak for other states but they are certainly a wonderful resource in Iowa. Many people are not aware that libraries in Iowa are independent city entities. They do have to depend on their city councils for much of their funding but the city cannot direct how the funds can be used in order to keep the libraries free to select books and disseminate information.
According to the University of Iowa's Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project:
In 1873, Iowa had become the 10th state to enact legislation that allowed towns to establish and maintain public libraries through taxation. In 1894, the state had granted partial suffrage to women allowing them to vote on "yes" and "no" issues such as the establishment of a public library.
So our libraries are closely tied to freedom of speech and the expansion of women's rights. Many Iowa libraries were started through the efforts of women's groups, especially temperance organizations. If you love libraries, pass it on to your children. If you're not so crazy about them because you think they are dusty, dreary places, check out your local library. I'll bet you are in for a surprise.
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