DES MOINES—The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Primghar Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”
Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. The Primghar Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities. The accreditation status begins July 1, 2022, and is valid through June 30, 2025.
“The director and board of trustees of the Primghar Public Library and the city of Primghar are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community,” said State Librarian Michael Scott.
Primghar Library Director Leann Langfitt noted that this year’s application included new rules and new policies. IT was due February 28. The Primghar Library earned the top rated Tier 3 accreditation. She said the accreditation “assures patrons recieve the highest level of standards” s library can offer.
The strategic plan for the library is a big component of an accreditation application. A strategic plan is the tool a board uses to set the goals of the library for the next 3 years. Part of creating a new plan is to evaluate performance against the last plan.
Three years ago, the Primghar Library set out to increase the training and education for board and staff, improve their collection and provide computer and internet services. They met those goals. The Library conducted a community wide survey to find out more about what the patrons wanted from their library. Langfitt talked about new goals for the public library is to increase both children’s and adult programming. They are planning monthly adult programs to meet the adult programming goal. For children, they used $4285.71 in Early Childhood of Iowa (ECI) grant funds to purchase materials for STEAM and STEM programming for children’s programming, especially Wednesday early outs at South O’Brien. These programs feature Hands-on life long learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math topics. Five different STEM kits were purchased and are available for check-out, just like a book.
Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 403 – including the Primghar Public Library – are accredited. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. More than two-thirds of all Iowans have active public library cards. Iowa libraries play key roles in workforce and economic development, lifelong learning and e-government activities. Iowans use their libraries to find jobs, do homework, locate a good book to read, research medical conditions, access government information, and more.
Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, State Librarian Michael Scott, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chairperson Carrie Falk.