Library History
Garnavillo, Iowa has been privileged to have a library since the establishment of the town. The first library was located in the Odd Fellows Lodge. In 2000 the Garnavillo Public Library celebrated 50 years as a public library with funding from the city. Over the years the library in Garnavillo has been located in serveral buildings in town and at one time the school and public library were together. In 1978 the library moved from the top floor of the old movie theater to the main floor located in the present location at 112 S. Main Street.
Check Out Area / Main lobby Upon entering the library the first room or area is the check out area which is a welcoming place for people to return and check out books and ask questions. Included in this area is the Genealogy Section and a table for doing research. The handicapped accessible restroom is available to the public in this area of the library. This area was the ticket and concession stand area when the library was the movie theater named The Garwood.
Main Room
The main room contains the adult fiction and non-fiction sections,Young Adult section, Adult Biographies and magazine display case as well as the reference area. Other materials found in this room are the audio books, adult and family video discs and music CDs. The public use computers are also in this room along with the automated card catalog. There are tables and chairs available for in library use and browsing. This room contained the seats and movie screen for the theater.
Children’s and Young Adult Room
The children’s area is down a ramp from the main room and has a set of stairs that give the children a place to sit during programs so that all can see and hear. The children’s area contains the easy and juvenile books and easy reader board books. Both fiction and non-fiction are available in this room. Before remodeling, this part of the library served as the fire station for the town of Garnavillo.
Interested in more history? Visit https://iowaculture.gov/history