Marshalltown Public Library

Marshalltown has experienced enormous change from the time its last "new" library opened 111 years ago, in 1902, to the present day facility’s opening in 2008. Marshalltown Public Library was home to one of America’s earliest Children’s Rooms, and today’s library remains committed to early literacy. Staff members collaborate across the community to serve Marshalltown’s growing immigrant population. The Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros festival is an annual event that introduces Spanish-speaking families to library services, while encouraging children of all ethnicities to celebrate Hispanic culture. The library partners with organizations such as Latinas al Exito, a youth mentoring program for Latinas, to involve youth in library activities, especially its library volunteer program, VolunTeen.