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The Scott County Library System is the oldest library system in the state of Iowa, United States. The library system's mission is "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.
History
Before the Scott County Library system was established, a bookmobile 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 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 single purpose of providing reading to adults and children in the rural communities; but in the fall through winter it serviced 110 schools throughout Scott County.
The library 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.