Davenport Public Library
🏢 Davenport Public Library · Davenport, Iowa
Davenport Public Library
The Davenport Public Library Main Branch at 321 Main Street has served the Quad Cities since library service began here in 1839, with the city formally establishing the public library in 1877. Three Sensory Inclusive-certified branches, a makerspace, seed library, notary service and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center make it one of the most complete library systems on the Upper Mississippi.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 321 Main Street, Davenport, IA 52801
Phone: (563) 326-7832
Website: davenportlibrary.com
Plus Code: 86HFGCFF+7X (Davenport, IA)
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📖 About Davenport Public Library
Davenport Public Library has deep roots in the Quad Cities: library service began as early as 1839 with the Carey Library Association, a formal public library was established in 1877, and today the system operates three full-service branches — Main (321 Main Street), Fairmount (3000 N. Fairmount Street) and Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue). All three locations are Sensory Inclusive Certified, and the Main branch hosts the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center on its second floor. The library provides free notary service at all locations, a seed library, makerspace, meeting and study rooms, a social worker on staff, and a drive-thru window at the Fairmount branch. Digital offerings include Libby/OverDrive through the RiverShare consortium, Tumblebooks for young readers, and online research databases. The Davenport Public Library Foundation (formerly the Friends) operates used bookstores at Fairmount and Eastern and funds all library programming. With an annual circulation of nearly a million items, the library is the cultural anchor of Scott County's 170,000-plus residents.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Library service in Davenport dates to 1839; formally established as a public library in 1877 — nearly 150 years of community service
- Three full-service branches, all Sensory Inclusive Certified (Kulture City) for visitors with sensory needs
- Notary service at all locations — call ahead to confirm availability
- Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center on the second floor of Main, plus a makerspace and seed library
- Drive-thru window at the Fairmount Branch for quick pickup and returns
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Davenport cardholders can borrow eBooks, stream media and access databases free through the library's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Notary service at all three branches (call ahead: (563) 326-7832)
- Free public Wi-Fi, computers, web printing and scanning
- Makerspace at Main Branch
- Seed library
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Social worker on staff for community resource connections
- Interlibrary loan and RiverShare catalog holds
🎸 Programs
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (free, self-paced)
- Book clubs and bestsellers club
- Fatal Fiction event (annual fundraiser)
- Bookmark design contest (all ages)
- StoryWalk in local parks
- Little Free Libraries at four Davenport park locations
📍 Nearby Libraries in Eastern Iowa
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Davenport Public Library?
Library service in Davenport dates to 1839 with the founding of the Carey Library Association and a reading room in the Le Claire Hotel. The city formally established the public library in 1877. That makes the Davenport Public Library nearly 150 years old and one of Iowa's oldest public library systems.
Does the Davenport Public Library offer notary service?
Yes — notary service is available at all three library locations (Main, Fairmount and Eastern). Call (563) 326-7832 before your visit to make sure a notary is on duty; they are available until 30 minutes before closing. The notary can witness signatures and verify identity but cannot authenticate document content.
What is the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center?
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center is located on the second floor of the Main Library at 321 Main Street. It is open Monday 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and the first Saturday of each month 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. It holds local and regional history materials and specialized research collections. Call (563) 326-7902 for more information.
What is a seed library, and does Davenport Public Library have one?
Yes — the Davenport Public Library maintains a seed library where cardholders can check out seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers, grow them at home, and return seeds at the end of the season to keep the collection going. It is a popular community resource especially for home gardeners and school projects. Ask at the Main Branch for the current seed selection.
📋 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 a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.