Onawa Public Library
🏢 Monona County · Onawa, Iowa
Onawa Public Library
Onawa Public Library serves the county seat of Monona County from 707 Iowa Avenue — a city platted in 1857, named after a character in Longfellow's 'Song of Hiawatha,' known for the widest main street in the continental United States, and the birthplace of the Eskimo Pie ice cream bar in 1920.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 11am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–6pm |
| Thursday | 11am–8pm |
| Friday | 11am–5pm |
| Saturday | 11am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 707 Iowa Avenue, Onawa, IA 51040
Phone: (712) 423-1733
Website: onawa.lib.ia.us
Plus Code: 86J52WG4+GH (Onawa, IA)
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📖 About Onawa Public Library
Onawa Public Library is the public library of Onawa, Iowa, the county seat of Monona County in the state's northwestern corner, situated on the Missouri River floodplain at the edge of the geologically distinctive Loess Hills. The city of about 2,906 residents has a colorful history: platted in 1857, it is named after a character in Longfellow's poem The Song of Hiawatha, claims the widest main street in the continental United States, and was the birthplace of the Eskimo Pie in 1920, when Chris Nelson invented the chocolate-coated ice cream bar. The library at 707 Iowa Avenue is a full-service community anchor offering a dedicated Kids Center with AWE Learning Computers, Busy Boxes, games and youth programming, a Summer Reading Program, digital media including Overdrive audiobooks and eBooks via the Bridges platform, public computers, and Wi-Fi. It is also an accredited U.S. passport acceptance facility, accepting applications by appointment Monday through Friday.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Accredited U.S. passport acceptance facility — appointments available Mon–Fri 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (4 p.m. Fri)
- Kids Center with AWE Learning Computers, Busy Boxes, games, and children's programming
- Extended evening hours Tuesday and Thursday until 8 p.m. for after-work visits
- Onawa's county seat library serving Monona County in Iowa's scenic Loess Hills region
- Obama once campaigned here — the library has hosted notable community events including a March 2007 Barack Obama campaign stop
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Onawa cardholders can borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and use digital resources free through Iowa's statewide digital collection:
📚 Services
- U.S. passport application acceptance (by appointment, Mon–Fri)
- Kids Center with AWE Learning Computers, Busy Boxes, and games
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Digital media downloads — eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming via Bridges/OverDrive
- Summer Reading Program for children and teens
- Interlibrary loan through State Library of Iowa
- Library card — free to Monona County and Iowa residents
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime and youth programming
- Summer Reading Program
- Kids Center drop-in activities
- Community events and seasonal programming
- Adult programming and reader's advisory
📍 Nearby Libraries in Western Iowa
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Onawa Public Library accept U.S. passport applications?
Yes. The library is an accredited U.S. passport acceptance facility. Passport appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and Friday from 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. No passport services are available on Saturday or Sunday. Call (712) 423-1733 to schedule your appointment.
What is the Kids Center at Onawa Public Library?
The Kids Center is a dedicated children's area featuring AWE Learning Computers (educational software for PreK–8), Busy Boxes (hands-on learning kits), board games, and children's books. It also anchors the library's youth programming including storytimes and the Summer Reading Program.
What is the history behind Onawa's famously wide main street?
Onawa is known for having the widest main street in the continental United States. The city was platted in 1857 with exceptionally wide main thoroughfares — a planning decision that reflects the city's ambitions at the height of Iowa's territorial settlement era.
What is the connection between Onawa and the Eskimo Pie?
Onawa is the birthplace of the Eskimo Pie. In 1920, local confectioner Chris Nelson invented the chocolate-coated ice cream bar at his candy shop in Onawa, creating one of America's first individually wrapped, chocolate-covered ice cream novelties.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
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