Spencer Public Library
🏢 City of Spencer · Spencer, Iowa
Spencer Public Library
Spencer Public Library sits at the heart of Clay County's seat, a northwest Iowa city famous for the world's largest county fair and for Dewey Readmore Books — the orange tabby found in the library's book return on a frigid January night in 1988 who became one of the most celebrated library cats in history. Today's library at 21 E. 3rd Street carries Dewey's spirit of welcome forward with extended evening hours, a notary public, an Audiolab, a Library of Things, and free digital resources for all Clay County residents.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 21 East 3rd Street, Spencer, IA 51301
Phone: (712) 580-7290
Website: spencerlibrary.com
Plus Code: 86M64VR4+8C (Spencer, IA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Spencer Public Library
Spencer Public Library serves Spencer, Iowa — the county seat of Clay County, situated at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan rivers in northwest Iowa. The city is home to the Clay County Fair, which draws more than 300,000 visitors each September and is one of the largest county fairs in the world. The library's most famous chapter began on January 18, 1988, when a tiny orange kitten was found barely alive in the book-return slot on a morning that hit –16 °F. Library director Vicki Myron nursed the cat back to health; staff named him Dewey Readmore Books, and over the next eighteen years he greeted thousands of patrons and became internationally known. His story was told in the bestselling book *Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World* (2008). Dewey died in November 2006. Today the Spencer Public Library honors his memory with merchandise, a dedicated section of its website, and its commitment to being, in his spirit, a library that 'is all about learning — at all ages.' The building at 21 E. 3rd Street offers a notary public, blood pressure monitors, mobile hotspots, an Audiolab recording studio, a Library of Things lending collection, genealogy assistance, tech help, and meeting rooms.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Home of Dewey Readmore Books — the internationally famous library cat found in the book drop in January 1988, whose story inspired a New York Times bestseller
- Notary public on staff — available to Spencer and Clay County residents at no charge
- Audiolab recording and podcast studio available for community use
- Library of Things lending collection — borrow equipment and specialty items beyond books
- Extended evening hours Monday through Thursday until 8 p.m. for working families and students
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Spencer cardholders can stream, download, and research free through Iowa's statewide digital library programs:
📚 Services
- Notary public (free to Spencer & Clay County residents)
- Audiolab — recording studio and podcast production space
- Library of Things — borrow equipment, tools, and specialty items
- Blood pressure monitors for patron use
- Mobile hotspot lending
- Mobile printing via ePrintIt portal
- Genealogy research assistance and help
- Tech help one-on-one appointments
- Meeting rooms for community groups
- Little Free Pantry outside the library
- Home delivery service for patrons unable to visit
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program (all ages)
- Beanstack Reading Challenges
- Youth storytimes and children's programming
- Teen programs and activities
- Adult book club and reader's advisory
- Tech help workshops
- Community events and author programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northwest Iowa
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dewey the library cat at Spencer Public Library?
Dewey Readmore Books was an orange tabby kitten found nearly frozen in the library's book-return slot on January 18, 1988, when the temperature was –16 °F. Library director Vicki Myron nursed him back to health, staff voted on the name 'Dewey Readmore Books,' and he lived at the library for the next eighteen years — greeting patrons and earning worldwide attention. He died in November 2006. His story was told in the 2008 New York Times bestseller *Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World* by Vicki Myron.
Does Spencer Public Library offer notary services?
Yes — Spencer Public Library has a notary public on staff, available at no charge to Spencer and Clay County residents. Call ahead at (712) 580-7290 to confirm availability before visiting.
What is the Audiolab at Spencer Public Library?
The Audiolab is a recording and podcast production studio available to library patrons. It provides equipment and space for recording music, podcasts, voiceovers, and other audio projects. Contact the library for scheduling and equipment details.
What are Spencer Public Library's hours and can I get home delivery?
The library is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday. A home delivery service is available for patrons who are unable to visit in person — contact the library at (712) 580-7290 or email libraryinfo@spenceriowacity.com to arrange it.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
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