Review of "The Marion Library: Doorway to the Future, Picture Window on the Past," by Jean Strong

Review of

The Marion Library: Doorway to the Future, Picture Window on the Past, by Jean Strong ISBN 1888160039

Five out of five stars

As a resident of Marion, Iowa and a heavy user of the services provided by the library, I found this book to be extremely interesting. It is a combination of two interwoven components. A history of the Marion public library, from the first one partially funded by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to the current one that provides all the modern services that public libraries must offer users and a history of the city of Marion.

 Influential citizens that held public positions, from the mayor to the head of various library services are briefly described. Major changes that have happened in the city, such as losing the position as the county seat to Cedar Rapids to the loss of rail service are covered. However, this book is fundamentally about a library and the city that it is in. Where the citizens understand how important a modern public library is to the community and are willing to support this critical component of public infrastructure.