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Mt. Pleasant Library highlights vital services and urges continued community support
From free Wi-Fi to early literacy programs, the library remains a crucial resource for residents while facing funding challenges
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MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Public Library, a cornerstone of the community since 1875, continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of residents. Library representatives recently provided an update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors, detailing the library’s impact, services, and ongoing funding challenges.
"I was cognizant of the fact that we don’t ever really communicate with the county, so, we thought it would be a good idea to come in and talk a little bit about what the county funding supports," Mt. Pleasant Library Board Chair Theresa Rose said.
Rose and Library Director Kayleigh Septer brought this update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors following a cut in funding last year.
The library, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, offers more than books. It provides free access to Wi-Fi, public computers, and two mobile hot spots that residents can check out for home use.
“The library bridges the digital divide by offering free access in the library to Wi-Fi computer access, and we also have two mobile Wi-Fi hot spots for use by Henry County residents, and those are items that they can take, check out and take into their home and use to in order to have Wi-Fi. And we've had multiple people, and a lot of the same people coming in and using those,” Septer shared.
Early literacy is another focus for the library, with programs like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" encouraging children to engage with books from an early age.
"Right now, we have about 217 children signed up for the Imagination Library," Septer said.
Through the Imagination Library, children from birth to age five receive free books mailed to their homes each month. This is available for children living in the Mt. Pleasant ZIP code.
The 1,000 Books program, according to Septer, is a free program for children to come into the library, check out books, read them with their adults, and receive prizes as they hit milestones.
“Once they hit 1,000 nooks before kindergarten, they get a bag with some goodies and a book,” Septer explained. “And that just incentivizes children to read and parents to read with their children.”
The library also features the Children's Discovery Center, a hands-on learning space popular with schools and day care groups.
"We've had visitors from Fairfield, including special needs students, come to use the space," Septer said. "And if it's not open when you visit, just call. I'll give you a tour."
The library also serves as a meeting space for community organizations, including Workforce Development and Health and Human Services. These groups use the library for job counseling sessions, family visits, and community meetings.
While the library continues to adapt to community needs, its mission remains unchanged: to offer free, accessible resources to all residents.
"We want everyone to feel welcome," Septer said.
Beyond the walls of the physical building, the library is working on a collaboration with Henry County Conservation to offer a StoryWalk at Oakland Mills, which encourages families to enjoy a book while strolling the trails.
The numbers reflect the library's significant community impact. In fiscal year 2024, rural residents checked out more than 57,000 items, contributing to an estimated $725,000 in savings for patrons. Overall, the library saved the community nearly $778,000.
Despite these successes, the library faces funding challenges. A recent budget cut resulted in the loss of a staff position and cutback in hours.
"Without adequate funding, we risk compromising the vital services so many in our community depend on," the library director said.
Septer urged the Board of Supervisors to consider prioritizing library funding to ensure continued access to these resources.
“We respectfully urge the boards of supervisors to prioritize and look at the funding of the library in the upcoming budget,” Septer told the supervisors. “By doing so, you will ensure that this 150 year cornerstone of our community continues to thrive and serve as a beacon of opportunity and connection for all.”
As the library marks its 150th year, it hopes to secure the support needed to sustain its services for future generations.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
