Red Oak Public Library

🏢 City of Red Oak · Red Oak, Iowa

Red Oak Public Library

The Red Oak Public Library serves as the civic reading room of Montgomery County's seat, a southwest Iowa city whose disproportionate sacrifice in World War II shaped a generation. Open until 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, it offers books, DVDs, audiobooks, art prints, genealogical assistance, and free Wi-Fi to a community of about 5,600.

📞 (712) 623-6516🌐 redoak.lib.ia.us🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 Library Hours

Monday 10am–8pm
Tuesday 10am–5pm
Wednesday 10am–8pm
Thursday 10am–5pm
Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday 10am–5pm
Sunday Closed

Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.

📍 Location, Contact & Directions

Address: 400 N. 2nd Street, Red Oak, IA 51566

Phone: (712) 623-6516

Website: redoak.lib.ia.us

Plus Code: 86H62Q5C+82 (Red Oak, IA)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the Red Oak catalog →&🌐Library website & card info →&🎓State Library of Iowa →

📖 About Red Oak Public Library

Red Oak Public Library anchors the cultural life of Red Oak, the county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, situated along the East Nishnabotna River in the state's southwest corner. The city's name comes from the red oak trees that once lined Red Oak Creek, and it became Montgomery County's seat in 1865 — years before the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad arrived in 1869 to secure its future. The library provides free access to books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, art prints, and genealogical research assistance, along with public internet stations and Wi-Fi. Meeting rooms are available for community use. Cardholders can also access Iowa's statewide BRIDGES digital consortium for downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, as well as interlibrary loan service for materials not held locally. The library is a city department of Red Oak and reflects its motto — 'A Shade Better' — in the range of free services it delivers to Montgomery County residents.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Evening hours on Monday and Wednesday until 8 p.m. for working families and after-school visits
  • Genealogical assistance — a strong resource for tracing Montgomery County and southwest Iowa family history
  • Art print lending collection — an uncommon service among Iowa's smaller public libraries
  • Free internet access at public computer stations plus building-wide Wi-Fi, no library card required for Wi-Fi
  • Serves Red Oak, the county seat of Montgomery County — named for the red oak trees along the historic creek

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Red Oak cardholders can download, stream, and research for free through Iowa's statewide digital library programs:

&📚 BRIDGES / LibbyIowa's statewide eBook & eAudiobook consortium — download free titles to any device with a Red Oak library card.
&🎧 hooplaMovies, music, comics, audiobooks & TV shows with no waitlists, available to Iowa public library cardholders.
&🔍 Iowa Genealogy (State Library)Access Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogical databases free at the library.
&📄 ILL / Interlibrary LoanRequest materials from libraries across Iowa and the nation through the statewide interlibrary loan network.

📚 Services

  • Checkout of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and art prints
  • Genealogical research assistance
  • Public computer stations and free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour book drop for after-hours returns
  • Meeting rooms and community space
  • Printing, copying, and fax service (fee)
  • Tax forms and information (seasonal)
  • Interlibrary loan

🎸 Programs

  • Children's storytimes and youth programming
  • Adult programs and reading events
  • Summer reading program
  • Best-seller and popular reserve list
  • Online and phone renewals

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Red Oak Public Library's evening hours?

The library stays open until 8 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday all run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday.

Does the Red Oak Public Library offer genealogy help?

Yes — genealogical assistance is one of the library's listed free services. Staff can help with local and regional family history research, and cardholders can also access Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogical databases free of charge at the library's public computers.

Can I borrow art prints from the Red Oak Public Library?

Yes, the library maintains an art print lending collection — an uncommon offering for a public library of this size. Prints can be checked out just like books, letting residents enjoy rotating artwork at home.

What county is Red Oak, Iowa in, and why is the city named that?

Red Oak is the county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa. The name comes from Red Oak Creek, which was lined with red oak trees when European settlers arrived in the 1840s. The town was formally established in 1865 when Montgomery County was organized, and grew rapidly after the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad arrived in 1869.

📜 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.

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