Iowa State Library Evicted

Staff -- Library Journal, 1/29/2001

Iowa's Legislative Council in essence has evicted the Iowa State Library from its 100-year-old digs in the State Historical Building. Legislators claim they need the space in order to house 102 staff members currently housed in deficient, unsafe space inside the capitol building. State Librarian Sharman Smith told local press he was "heartbroken" by the decision, explaining that special renovations were made to the building for the library, including buttressing the floor to safely support the weight of the collection and the installation of special lighting. The legislators, however, assert that books can be housed anywhere and that the safety of people is more important. No decision has been made on where to house the library.