Scott County Library System
Encyclopedia
The Scott County Library System is the oldest library system in the State of Iowa
. The library system's mission has been "to make available library materials and information in a variety of formats to people of all ages." The System is headquartered in Eldridge, Iowa
, with branch locations in: Blue Grass, Buffalo, Durant, Princeton, and Walcott.
went into operation on a voluntary basis. The Scott County Bookmobile, Inc. was organized June 16, 1947 and was dedicated as a memorial to students, educators and service men on October 3. Edna Spies served as the president, driver, and librarian of the organization until the March of 1950; the original bookmobile was a retrofitted school bus.
In 1948, Scott County voters agreed to a request for tax support establishing a countywide library system. A headquarters was opened in January 1950 in the Eckermann Implement building in downtown Eldridge, with the intention that it would serve the bookmobile. The 25-by-52-square-foot space functioned as a library, and a garage was constructed for the bookmobile. Three months after the library opened, 4,000 books had been received and processed by Elizabeth Hage and her staff of three. The library continued to grow, registering 643 patrons by August of that year. Arrangements were made with the Scott County Bookmobile to gain access to the unit's mobile library, and by May 1950 the bookmobile began serving all 16 communities in Scott County, visiting three or more towns per day. Throughout the summer the Bookmobile had a singular purpose of providing interesting reading to adults and children in the rural communities; but in the fall through winter it serviced 110 schools throughout Scott County.
The library currently operates five branches, with Princeton
opening in a space at city hall in July 1950. Other branches are located in Blue Grass
, Buffalo
, Durant
and Walcott
. At one time, the library also had branches in LeClaire, Long Grove, New Liberty, Park View and Ridgeview, but these have since closed. The former community of Ridgeview was incorporated into Davenport, while the residents of LeClaire established their own library after receiving a donation in a will to the "LeClaire Library System"; Long Grove, New Liberty and Park View closed due to budget reductions.
The Eckermann Building headquarters served the library until December 1962, when it was moved to a new space at 215 N. Second St., Eldridge. That facility was in use until August 2003, when the library moved to a renovated former grocery store site at 200 N. Second St.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The library system's mission has been "to make available library materials and information in a variety of formats to people of all ages." The System is headquartered in Eldridge, Iowa
Eldridge, Iowa
Eldridge is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,651 at the 2010 census; Eldridge is a part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area and is considered a suburb.-History:...
, with branch locations in: Blue Grass, Buffalo, Durant, Princeton, and Walcott.
History
Before the Scott County Library system was established, a bookmobileBookmobile
A bookmobile or mobile library is a large vehicle designed for use as a library. It is designed to hold books on shelves so that when the vehicle is parked the books can be accessed by readers. It usually has enough space for people to sit and read books inside. Mobile libraries are often used to...
went into operation on a voluntary basis. The Scott County Bookmobile, Inc. was organized June 16, 1947 and was dedicated as a memorial to students, educators and service men on October 3. Edna Spies served as the president, driver, and librarian of the organization until the March of 1950; the original bookmobile was a retrofitted school bus.
In 1948, Scott County voters agreed to a request for tax support establishing a countywide library system. A headquarters was opened in January 1950 in the Eckermann Implement building in downtown Eldridge, with the intention that it would serve the bookmobile. The 25-by-52-square-foot space functioned as a library, and a garage was constructed for the bookmobile. Three months after the library opened, 4,000 books had been received and processed by Elizabeth Hage and her staff of three. The library continued to grow, registering 643 patrons by August of that year. Arrangements were made with the Scott County Bookmobile to gain access to the unit's mobile library, and by May 1950 the bookmobile began serving all 16 communities in Scott County, visiting three or more towns per day. Throughout the summer the Bookmobile had a singular purpose of providing interesting reading to adults and children in the rural communities; but in the fall through winter it serviced 110 schools throughout Scott County.
The library currently operates five branches, with Princeton
Princeton, Iowa
Princeton is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 946 at the 2000 census.-History:The first known settlers in Princeton Township were Giles M. and Haswell H. Pineo and Daniel Hire, about two years later...
opening in a space at city hall in July 1950. Other branches are located in Blue Grass
Blue Grass, Iowa
Blue Grass is a city in Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa. The population was 1,341 as of 2010.Most of Blue Grass is part of the Davenport–Moline–Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area, but the Muscatine County portion of the city is considered part of the Muscatine...
, Buffalo
Buffalo, Iowa
Buffalo is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,321 at the 2000 census, and decreased to 1,270 in 2010. Buffalo is located on the Mississippi River. The city is located near the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa.-Geography:...
, Durant
Durant, Iowa
Durant is a city in Cedar, Muscatine, and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa. The population was 1,677 at the 2000 census. The community is named in honor of Thomas C...
and Walcott
Walcott, Iowa
Walcott is a city in Muscatine and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,528 at the 2000 census. Walcott's interchange on Interstate 80 is home to an enormous complex of restaurants, motels and truck stops, including the Iowa 80 truck stop which is the world's largest.Most...
. At one time, the library also had branches in LeClaire, Long Grove, New Liberty, Park View and Ridgeview, but these have since closed. The former community of Ridgeview was incorporated into Davenport, while the residents of LeClaire established their own library after receiving a donation in a will to the "LeClaire Library System"; Long Grove, New Liberty and Park View closed due to budget reductions.
The Eckermann Building headquarters served the library until December 1962, when it was moved to a new space at 215 N. Second St., Eldridge. That facility was in use until August 2003, when the library moved to a renovated former grocery store site at 200 N. Second St.