Forrest Spaulding, author, Library Bill of Rights, 2008

Brief history of Forrest Spaulding, head of the Des Moines Public Library from 1917-1952

A LIBRARY IN THE MAKING: Pioneer History of the Territorial and State Library of Iowa,October 1912

The discovery of early manuscript reports of Territorial and State Librarians, buried in the mass of old official papers transferred from the several departments of State to the new Department of Archives in the Historical Building, has suggested the propriety of completing as far as possible, the historical record of Iowa's State Library, "from the earliest period to the present time." After a thorough research through the papers on file in the Archives Department, the published Journals and departmental reports in the State Library and documents and private papers loaned me by Mr. Newton R. Parvin, librarian of the Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids. I am now able to present the following historical sketch, Supplemented by the hitherto unpublished papers referred to this filling a gap in the history of a State institution which from very small beginnings has grown to large proportions and has made for itself a firm place in the respect and esteem of every citizen of Iowa.

A plan for an electronic library and information services program for Iowa : presented to the Honorable Terry E. Branstad and members of the Iowa General Assembly, 1995

This document summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the Library Services Advisory Council who were appointed by Governor Terry E. Branstad to develop a coordinated, cost-effective and comprehensive plan for the implementation of an electronic statewide library and information services program.

Is a Combined School/Public Library Right for Your Community?

This document is intended to assist Iowa communities in making informed decisions on combining school and public library services. It provides decision-makers with a means of assessing the feasibility of establishing a combined library and, if the decision is made to proceed, with a Planning Guide that addresses the many areas of library operations that need to be considered if the combined library is to be successful. Alternatives to combining libraries exist. Contracted services provide one such option. There are many areas where school and public libraries can and should collaborate in order to provide better service to the community. These alternatives are also outlined in this document.

2-56514 - Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals February 28, 1976 Appeal of Stroh Cpor. v. Commerical Investment Company of Iowa, Inc. Part of the State Law Library of Iowa ditigal scanning project of unpublished opinons of the Iowa Apeellate Courts.

64663 - Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals January 30, 1981 Appeal from Story County, in Re Karen Kay Schulutz, marriage and Virgil Charles Schulutz Part of the State Law Library of Iowa ditigal scanning project of unpublished opinons of the Iowa Apeellate Courts.

2-6511 - Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals August 25, 1981 Appeal of David Eugene Behrens Meyer v. Henry Kuehl. Part of the State Law Library of Iowa ditigal scanning project of unpublished opinons of the Iowa Apeellate Courts.

2-24008 - Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals October 7, 1977 Appeal of James R. Schroeder v. William Thomas Sharp. Part of the State Law Library of Iowa ditigal scanning project of unpublished opinons of the Iowa Apeellate Courts.

Use of Iowa Public Libraries 2005, January 17, 2008

This report includes the number of Iowa card holders, library checkouts and library visits in public libraries from 1995 to 2005

Use of Iowa Public Libraries 2006, January 17, 2008

This report includes the number of Iowa card holders, library checkouts and library visits in public libraries from 1995 to 2005

Use of Iowa Public Libraries 2007, January 16, 2008

This report includes the number of Iowa card holders, library checkouts and library visits in public libraries from 1995 to 2005

Use of Iowa Public Libraries 2008

This report includes the number of Iowa card holders, library checkouts and library visits in public libraries from 1995 to 2008

In Service to Iowa : Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010

The Standards and Accreditation program exists to encourage the ongoing development of high quality public library services in Iowa. In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards is the manual for the State Library of Iowa’s standards program. It was first published in 1985 and was updated in 1989, 1997, 2004, and now in 2010. Iowa’s voluntary public library standards program was established to give public libraries a tool to identify strengths and areas for improvement. It is also used to document the condition of public library service in Iowa, to distribute Direct State Aid funding, and to meet statutory requirements. In 2010, the Iowa Commission of Libraries appointed the Public Library Standards Advisory Task Force to revise In Service to Iowa. The Task Force included members representing libraries from different size categories, the Iowa Commission of Libraries, Library Service Area staff, and State Library staff. All members support and stress the importance of the accreditation process and thank the Iowa public library community for its assistance.

An Architectural and Historical Survey of Public Libraries in Iowa 1870-1940, 1980

The public library movement f the early twentieth century was a national phenomenon, in which Iowa, along with its neighboring states, played a prominent role. In 1900, the Iowa Library Commission noted 48 free public libraries in the state. Today there are approximately 500, in towns ranging in size from Beaman, with a population of 222, the Des Moines, the state capitol. Iowans took enthusiastic advantage of Andre Carnegie's library philanthropy. In 1919, the Carnegie Corporation stopped funding libraries, 101 building has been erected in Iowa with Carnegie funds. Iowa place fourth among the states in terms of the number of communities obtaining Carnegie buildings, fifth in dollar appropriation per one hundred population and eighth in the total amount of money given by Carnegie to a state. These figures provide some measure by which interest in popular education among Iowans of the period can be judged. Today these early libraries, often the most distinctive public libraries in small or medium-sized towns, are physical foci in the townscapes of their communities and centers for a variety of educational and social activities. This survey was initiated by the Division of Historic Preservation in 1977. It grew out of the need to provide a framework within which libraries could be evaluated for National Register action. Several libraries (Des Moines, Grinnell, Eagle Grove, Carroll) has been recent candidates for the Register. There was every indication that enthusiasm for old library buildings was increasing and that more nominations could be expected in the future. The attrition rate among early library buildings was (and is) growing. Most libraries were built on limited budgets (Carnegie did not squander his money) and, despite the fact that future expansion was usually a conscious consideration in their design, they are rapidly becoming obsolete, due to expanding collections and changing styles of librarianship. If the protection of the threatened with demolition or alteration, action needed to be taken.

Histories of the Counties of Iowa, 1978.

Contains biographical histories of many of the counties of Iowa.