Our Library History

On September 14, 1937, representatives from many businesses and clubs met to consider a library for our town. The following officers were elected; Lafe Hill, president; Mildred Drake, secretary; Fred Frudden, treasurer; and Mrs. Sanders, librarian. In addition to the officers, the following made up the board; Mrs. A. J. Quinby, Mrs. Glenn Bishop, Mrs. Neil Dobson, Mrs. Ralph Rowley and Mrs. Wm. Witt.

The library was held in Mrs. Sanders’ home until 1949, then moved to the town hall, now Doris’ Gift Shop. Elinor Dare Ellis Dare, the town clerk, was also the librarian.

In 1955 the Fullerton building was remodeled for a fire station and the council room. The library was moved in and the following town clerks served as librarians; Estella Gashel, Ruth Shoger and Pearl Fredricks. Mrs. Ruth Rooks was hired to be the librarian at that time. She held the position from 1960-1968. The members who have served on the board as librarians deserve a great deal of praise to keep serving this community with library facilities under such adverse conditions.

In 1964, the town council voted to request the Post Office to vacate the Municipal Building at 41 N. Hawkeye to make the building available to the library board of trustees to be used at the Nora Springs Public Library.  Thus, it was remodeled September 1, 1974 with all money coming from donations by local organizations, clubs and individuals- with a grant of $8,000 from the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation, Inc. Also, $500 was given as an outright gift for reference books. Still later, as a memorial from the Foundation, we have been granted the pleasure of an Art Print collection, rotated as we do our books every four months. The trustees had entered in the Area Extension program known at NILE, Inc., during 1965.

Special requests, consultations, book processing and many other privileges for the library and our patrons are credited to the NILE, Inc. service. Our last inventory revealed a circulation of books, art prints, records, periodicals, puzzles, book-totes, and various specials requests of 11,918. We have approximately 7,000 books from which to choose. Circulation of books to the Care Center and Maple View Manor are included with that of the library.

The present librarian is now serving the patrons of this community for the eleventh year. Her Library Aide is a High School junior, Karen Waters.

This information is from the Historical Souvenir of Nora Springs, Iowa, 1975.