From touching stingrays to your second office; the Decorah Public Library has an extensive community offering which includes events, work spaces, office resources, and space to relax. The Decorah Public Library is an all-encompassing resource center providing materials and programs for the leisure, entertainment and the life-long learning of the citizens of Decorah and the Winneshiek County area. The Decorah Public Library serves over 11,000 patrons in Decorah and the surrounding communities. With over 65,000 materials, nearly 200 new items each month, and an annual circulation over 135,000, it is one of Iowa’s most active mid-size libraries.
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The history of Decorah Public Library dates back to 1892 and the Columbian club (study club) at the Unitarian Church. The Columbian Club was responsible for the collection until October 28, 1893 when the Public Library Association was formed. The first library housed 69 books, rent free, in the Marsh Music Store located on Water Street. Over the years the Decorah Public Library was housed in a number of locations including the Winneshiek County Courthouse basement. The Library held fundraisers and lobbied for tax-based support with the help of the Monday Club (a local women's study club). After 2 defeats, the city voted in favor of a tax levy of $500,000 to support the library and at that time it became a city-directed institution. For a number of years the Decorah Public Library was located on the northeast corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street. In 1964, the library moved across the street to the renovated former U.S. In 1997, an addition was added to the east side of the building with ribbon cutting held on November 2, 1997. (Information courtesy of the Winneshiek County Historical Society.
