Midwest Tour: Iowa Libraries
From October 6 through late evening October 15, we visited more than 20 libraries in four states: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. This road work and flights were part of our return to speaking engagement - So exciting!
Rather than trying to write about all of them in one gigantic post, we’re going to spread things out a little. This post is a digest of all of our visits to libraries in Iowa and there’ll be others for each of the states. There will also be a few that get pulled out for separate posts, as is the case with the Des Moines Public Library. Any way you slice it, we have a ton of library goodness to share - enjoy!
We went to Iowa to speak at the Iowa Library Association Conference (and we did a virtual presentation at the Wyoming Library Association). It was the first time we spoke together in person, in front of a live audience, since early March of 2020 so it was pretty special. Obviously, being in Iowa meant we were going to visit Iowa libraries and visit them we did! All told, we saw five libraries: two in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Garden Grove, and Orange City.
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The Des Moines Central Library was our first stop. You can check out (get it “checkout”) our recent story about the library here - and of course, you can keep on reading ...
There was a reception as part of the conference and there would be tours of the library, which we’d heard about from a number of people. The approach to the library is nice and it sits, glowing gold and low-slung, right in the midst of downtown Des Moines. There was interesting pubic art, including a constantly-crying Miffy sculpture. When we read up about the free-flowing tears we learned the artist wanted to let kids know they don’t have to be happy all the time (but we might suggest, of course, they don’t they need to be sad all the time either).
Cheer up, Miffy, things aren’t all bad!
The reception was good, and we heard some of the history of the library - primarily focused on the design and construction of the new space we were in. I say “new space” but the library has been here in its current state since 2006. The timeframe for what is defined as “new” in library land can be pretty long.
We enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to talk with the staff. The space wasn’t really our cup of tea. It’s strong in many ways - from the fun shape and placement of the building in the city [add ariel map] to the cool copper sheathing to the living green roof. But there was something about it that just didn’t click. Maybe it was the large amount of concrete, visible in the ceiling and supports, that gave the interior a certain coldness. Hard to say.
There was nothing cold about what filled the library, however, and we were happy to see a terrific makerspace, a very cool exhibit in the gallery, a great special collections area, plenty of study rooms (which we used on a subsequent visit), and more. We were also impressed by the way the library connected with the community. You can read more about our visit here.
The amazing Law Library.
The next library wasn’t exactly a public library - although it is publicly funded and is open to the public. We’re talking about the Iowa State Law Library. Because of some prior commitments, I was unable to visit, but Adam did and he came back with glowing words and fabulous photographs. He was able to get a tour from one of the long-time staffers. Adam loved the antiquated book delivery elevator, as well as and the efforts to preserve the library’s history, while still letting people use the space. Looking at his pictures, I was ready to kick myself! It’s stunning, corkscrew staircases rise from floor to ceiling to stacks and stacks and stacks overlooking a beautiful reading room. It’s like something out of a fantasy. Did I mention I want to kick myself? If we ever go back, we’ll both go.
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When the conference was over, we decided to head south to visit friends in Missouri. As we left Des Moines, we stopped at the West Des Moines Public Library. It’s a little confusing, but West Des Moines isn’t part of Des Moines or necessarily West. (The same thing is true of Providence and East Providence, Rhode Island - let’s come up with some new names people!)
West Des Moines.
This was a real gem and there may be a longer post to go into detail, but here’s a little something to whet your appetite. The library is situated on the banks of a pond and is part of a civic space that includes the city hall, a few schools, a stadium, and an amphitheater - all connected by a walking path and plenty of public art. When we arrived, there was a high school marching band competition taking place at the stadium and the various teams were warming up. It was very cool and musical. Here is a snippet from Adam’s Instagram post that features a taste of the music.
You never know what you’re going to come across in library land!
One of the first things we saw when we entered the library was its living room. This featured comfortable furniture and vending machines, we liked the recognition that people viewed and used libraries as social spaces. Speaking of spaces, there were so many places to work or study. As Jen Ohzourk, the head of adult services showed us around, she pointed out the study rooms (lots, in great shape, and easy to use), as well as workspaces around the perimeter of the library’s second floor. She explained that there were plenty of quiet corners throughout the library.
Speaking of sound, we were impressed by a sign on the first floor that alerted users to the fact that conversations in that area were loud and clear up on the second floor - a bit of an architectural quirk, but nice to get the warning. It was another nice example of the library being aware of its space and how people used the library.
They just renovated their kids’ room, and it is wonderful with great features that appeal to kids and parents (fun light board like an old Lite-Brite toy and even a small door cut into a large door to a programming area).
West Des Moines is a mid-90s library and it shows in lots of little ways - but it’s an awesome library, just the same, and we were really impressed.
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Our next stop was one of the most unexpectedly wonderful of the entire trip - or really any trip. It was to the Garden Grove Public Library in tiny Garden Grove. The city (yes, a city, even with a population of 174) gets its name from early Mormon migrants who passed through on their way West. They planted crops so subsequent travelers would have sustenance. The town is part of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail and still draws Latter-day Saints interested in the faith’s early history.
Interesting, sure, but not unexpectedly wonderful. That happened when we opened the door to the library. I don’t want to go into too much detail here because there is just too much to say until we do a separate post and Instagram. Opening that door was like opening the door to the past. The library is overseen by Sarah Chrisman, an author and someone who is maybe just a tiny bit obsessed with the late 19th century.
The amazing Garden Grove Public Library.
She and her husband, Gabriel (who works at the Des Moines Public Library) are transforming the library in ways that were so exciting to see. The library was a little neglected for many years (which happens sometimes) but Sarah has been reorganizing, cataloging, weeding, resigning, and reimagining what the library could be for the town. She is actively seeking out new members (we got our cards!) and connecting with the townspeople. It was amazing to hear that one recent program attracted 20 people - which was more than ten percent of the community!
I literally had tears in my eyes. Adam smiled and kept on taking pictures.
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The final Iowa library was the Orange City Public Library, and it came a week after Garden Grove and our travels through Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. I had looked at this library for a collections development class over the summer. Besides that … who wouldn’t want to visit ORANGE CITY?!
The library had faced a controversy regarding LGBTQ materials in its youth services collection. There were some who wanted these materials removed, labeled, or segregated. There were others - adhering to the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights - who believed the materials should remain integrated into the library’s collection.
In talking with the library’s director, I was struck by how sensitively the library has worked to bring people together. Libraries do this kind of work all the time - and it is an increasingly important role. Helping meet and manage competing perspectives in the communities they serve is critical.
The city was super, it was founded by Dutch immigrants and had all kinds of architectural details to remind residents and visitors of its roots - lots of orange, plenty of windmills and mini canals/bridges in the quaint town square where Adam walked - and even a few giant wooden shoes for good measure.
We came away hopeful that there are approaches to manage these situations successfully. I know they’re stressful, but they’ve become part of life in an increasingly polarized society. Libraries need to be a place that is open and welcoming to all - but they also need to be places that adhere to the standards and best practices of librarianship.
That’s what we saw in Orange City. The library has enough whimsical touches of orange to make us happy, and they even gave us some great orange pens as souvenirs.
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It was a whirlwind - a wonderful one. Visiting libraries and seeing more of America is always something we love. There’s more to come and more to share of what we keep seeing and learning in library land!