Family helps bring a library to Swisher

For eight years, Laura Hoover and her family have been working steadily on a project that promises to bring a wealth of information to town: A new library.

Her efforts started when her then 10-year-old son Tobin grew tired of traveling to neighboring libraries to check out books.

“He decided we needed a library, so he got a petition started and presented it to the council,” Hoover said. “They were like, that's nice, who's going to do it? I said, I will. The things your kids get you into.”

Since then, the family effort has grown into the Jefferson-Monroe Friends of the Library, of which Hoover is president. The group has been adding supporters, gathering used books, raising money and selling the idea of a local library to fellow residents in this town of just over 800 people. And now, after years of making the pitch, the volunteer group is finally stocking shelves – purchased cheap from another library – with books.

“We've gone from hearing ‘why would we need a library' to ‘when are you going to open?'” Hoover said.

The answer is ‘soon.' The library welcomed its first visitors during a holiday parade earlier this month. The group wants to start slow, opening two evenings a week and once on Saturday mornings.

It's been a long road to get here. Initially, the Friends of the Library hoped to build their own facility – an ambitious $2 million capital project. But the flooding in 2008 washed that idea away. Because Cedar Rapids' library was damaged by the rising waters, it soaked up much of the grant money available to libraries, Hoover said.

A freestanding building remains a goal, but on Nov. 1 the group took possession of Swisher Telephone Company's former offices downtown. It's only a lease; the company's telecommunications equipment still takes up the back half of the building on Second Street. But the 1,200 square feet turned out to be ideal: It's right in the middle of town, there's space for a small public meeting room and the bathrooms and hallways meet federal disability regulations. The old office even has an after-hours deposit box for utility bills that might make a perfect book drop.

The library also has three computers for public access to the internet – an asset that's essential for today's libraries.

“As the internet has become a more and more important source of information, even a very small library can now provide a good information resource,” said Lorna Caulkins, director of Drake Community Library in Grinnell.

Moving into a small existing building also meant the group could avoid hitting the city up early for capital outlays.

“Our money's pretty tight,” said City councilman Larry Svec. “We're putting in a $2 million sewer plant. We just don't have the money to put into the library.”

But the library will eventually need tax revenue to operate, Hoover said. It will serve residents from both Jefferson and Monroe townships and, for now, it will be staffed by volunteers. There have not yet been formal discussions with the City of Swisher about funding.“They've not come and asked for anything specific yet, but the attitude on the council is that they're willing to give their fair share when they do come,” said Mayor Scott Grabe.

Plenty of others have been giving their share, too. The library has collected more than 1,000 volumes from donors and libraries across the state have donated equipment and expertise. The Friends of the Library are still collecting money to buy a collection of basic books, which could cost between $5,000 and $7,000.

“Our plan is to open where we are and then keep growing and getting better,” Hoover said.