Library History
Swaledale, Iowa -- the small town with a big heart! Located in Pleasant Valley Township in southern Cerro Gordo County, Swaledale has the distinction of being the only town in the United States named Swaledale.
The first record of a library in Swaledale was recorded in a newspaper article dated November 7, 1923 in a newspaper unknown. It recorded that the Swaledale Community library opened for the distribution of books on Saturday, November 10. This library was established through the efforts of Mrs. William Leonard, president of the Parent-teachers Association. The society took out a year’s membership in the Mason City Library for $15.00 a year. The collection of books obtained numbered 75. Thirty were fiction and 45 were non-fiction. The community donated books and bulletins so that the number of books was nearly 200. The library board consisted of Dr. Kennedy, Mr. E.E. Mason and Mr. A.G. Hewlett. The library was housed in Earl Drury’s store.
On March 12, 1973, a meeting was held to organize the Swaledale Library. The first library board consisted of Ken Peterson, Loretta Janssen, Doris Nielsen, Elmer Eddy and Arvin Drury. In 1973, after a bookmobile for a few years, Swaledale’s library opened in what are now the city offices. The library’s official opening date was June 29, 1973. The first books were donated and once every four months the library received 400 books from the North Iowa Library extension Office. The first Librarian was Marjorie Swenson. After Marjorie resigned her post on June 1, 1975, Leona Bonner accepted the position. On May 31, 1975 the library moved across the street to what was the snowmobile shop. A story hour was started for the young children on September 1, 1975. In November of 1979 plans were being formed for a 40-foot addition to the library. It housed the children’s room and storage space. The addition was completed in June of 1980. In 1987 a brick front was added to the library. The library is a regular meeting place for the Swaledale Ladies and other groups. The library is funded through county and city appropriations and contributions. Available at the library are all kinds of books, movies, magazines, puzzles, and much more!
The first record of a library in Swaledale was recorded in a newspaper article dated November 7, 1923 in a newspaper unknown. It recorded that the Swaledale Community library opened for the distribution of books on Saturday, November 10. This library was established through the efforts of Mrs. William Leonard, president of the Parent-teachers Association. The society took out a year’s membership in the Mason City Library for $15.00 a year. The collection of books obtained numbered 75. Thirty were fiction and 45 were non-fiction. The community donated books and bulletins so that the number of books was nearly 200. The library board consisted of Dr. Kennedy, Mr. E.E. Mason and Mr. A.G. Hewlett. The library was housed in Earl Drury’s store.
On March 12, 1973, a meeting was held to organize the Swaledale Library. The first library board consisted of Ken Peterson, Loretta Janssen, Doris Nielsen, Elmer Eddy and Arvin Drury. In 1973, after a bookmobile for a few years, Swaledale’s library opened in what are now the city offices. The library’s official opening date was June 29, 1973. The first books were donated and once every four months the library received 400 books from the North Iowa Library extension Office. The first Librarian was Marjorie Swenson. After Marjorie resigned her post on June 1, 1975, Leona Bonner accepted the position. On May 31, 1975 the library moved across the street to what was the snowmobile shop. A story hour was started for the young children on September 1, 1975. In November of 1979 plans were being formed for a 40-foot addition to the library. It housed the children’s room and storage space. The addition was completed in June of 1980. In 1987 a brick front was added to the library. The library is a regular meeting place for the Swaledale Ladies and other groups. The library is funded through county and city appropriations and contributions. Available at the library are all kinds of books, movies, magazines, puzzles, and much more!