A great public library! 2 floors full of books, computers and activities. They have an amazing…read morechildren's area with books, videos for checkout, games, and play area. Upstairs they have non-fiction and quiet adult spaces perfect for reading or studying. They have ample library staff who are also very friendly and helpful. The library is clean and well kept.

Lovely library. I have absolutely no complaints…read more Online system makes it really easy to find the books you're looking for. Just go to their website, use their Catalog, and look up to see if they have the book/movie you want - and where it is and whether it's checked out. Makes it really easy to plan ahead and grab and go when I get there. Books are all on an electric system. Scan your library card, put the books on the scanner, and it'll check them out to you. Really simple and much faster than waiting in line. Books are usually in great condition. Definitely readable and very rarely torn up. DVDs have been hit or miss. We've always reported bad ones to librarians, though, so I hope they take that seriously and replace or remove unworking ones from circulation. There's also an interior Used bookstore in the library (the only one in town, I think?), but I've never been in there. The staff are super fun and welcoming, and while patrons aren't always super-quiet, most are respectful, and I've never seen any librarian need to quiet someone down. The children's area is pretty close to the front of the library, though, so if you require complete silence, I'd recommend one of the upper floor areas away from the kid's section. Parking is a private lot right outside the building. There are usually spots here as most Main Street customers seem to respect the library as patron-only. It's possible to drive up and drop someone off right by the door if you'd like. There's also an afterhours/outdoor item drop as well. Plus, there's the fact that the Library is right next to downtown. Return a book you checked out and then go walk a couple blocks to enjoy lunch at a small business. Win-win! The library also has a family/gender-neutral bathroom as well.

Such a beautiful Library. I'm not sure the locals realize how great this library really is. I've…read morebeen to MANY libraries all over the country and this is one of the better ones I've seen. It's HUGE. Updated. Clean. Well organized and has friendly staff. You could spend the whole day here literally. They even have a small cafe inside. Free Wi-Fi for those who need it.

I take my children to the MCPL often. They LOVE it here. Their favorite part now is playing on the…read morecomputers. The computers are jam packed with educational games for learning. We rent about 20 to 25 books at a time to take home and they have movie rentals from every children's age you could imagine for FREE! The staff is always helpful and super nice! Also, if your looking for a light snack or a little lunch they have a coffee/food cafe down the hallway, or if your just looking for a quite place to study they have it all!

I fly through books fast. This library has a huge variety of titles. The online system is very easy…read moreto use, I love being able to reserve books and quickly pick up. You can extend your check out also(not if the book is already reserved) Popular titles they did a great job of having multiples. When I have more time I love looking through their new section and some of their curated tables on the second floor. Lots and lots of seating area, and a great areas for kiddos.

I've always loved this library. Being the only library in Ames, where I grew up, it was always fun…read morebecause you would always run into a friend. A few years ago they remodeled and while it looks completely different, it's still lovely in every way. We've brought our toddler here many times since he was born and the play area is perfect and so kid friendly. We also did an escape room with our 6 yo niece last week during the holidays and that was also fun. I found a ton of music here, too, growing up and just have the best memories at this library.

Excellent selection of books! They always have all the latest releases in right away. Some of the…read moreemployees are rude when you ask them for help, hence the reason for the 4 stars.

Very friendly staff who help find any kind of information or books that I'm looking for. They…read morealways have the newest and best books, and the Young Adult section has grown so much in the last couple of years! Very good with kids and programs, my kids love it there. Always a very comfortable place. Libraries are changing and I for one, am glad that these children have a place to gather. We can't expect one person to be in charge of 20+ hyper kids after school and have the kids acting perfectly. They do the best they can while also doing their daily job duties. The new director impressively learned her job quickly after just jumping into it. She has two years under her belt now and is a certified library director and takes continuous education classes to learn even more. She is doing a GREAT job! Shell Rock is lucky to have such a library in their community, as a lot of city businesses and groups rely on the library for copies, ticket sales, meeting room, etc. We need to be supportive of our community and volunteer at the library to make it an even better place. A library is only as good as it's patrons! If you don't agree with the way things are run, please just talk to the librarians and it can get solved. Help each other.

This is a great library. A good collection, 18 public computers, free wifi and excellent staffread more

Love our library It is a great place to go and immerse…read moreyourself in peace and quiet . Books, coffee place to sit and relax with your book. Dee is great, very helpful and willing to get you what you want if they dont already have the book you are searching for.

History When Kendall Young passed away in 1896 the citizens…read moreof Webster City were surprised to learn that Mr. Young had left his estate valued at $150,000 to the City of Webster City, in trust, "for the establishment and maintenance of a free public library." The construction of the Beaux Arts style library was completed in 1905 at a cost of $50,000. Special features included gold marble columns from Africa, terrazo and mosaic floors, stained glass windows and a stained glass dome. In 1984 a fundraising campaign was started to raise money for an addition to the library. After receiving two donations, each in excess of one million dollars and many smaller gifts, the architectural firm of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle was hired to design a seamless addition. Construction began in March 1997 and was completed in November of 1998. The original library was 9600 sq. ft. and the expansion increased the size to 22,300 sq. ft. The beauty of the original building was maintained and stained glass windows and terrazo floors were included in the expansion to enhance the appearance of the seamless addition. Library Collections Abastenia St. Leger Eberle Sculpture Collection - Abastenia Eberle was born in Webster City in 1878 but only lived in Webster City for four years. As an adult she studied sculpture at the Art Students League in New York City. The sculpture 'Puetro Rican Mother and Child' c. 1901, displayed at Kendall Young Library, was Abastenia's earliest attempt to model life that she saw around her. Immigrants and street children were models for most of the 21 sculptures on display at the library. The Foster Doll Collection - This collection of 170 dolls was donated to the library in 1944 by Arch Foster and his son James after the death of Mr. Foster's wife Evelyn. Mrs. Foster had collected the dolls during the last 15 years of her life. The collection includes many types of dolls including Frozen Charlottes, dolls from the Kate Greenaway series, Waxed head dolls, Papier-mache dolls and Parian dolls. The oldest doll is a waxed head doll from 1800. The Van Ness Native American Collection - Mr. Van Ness lived in Hamilton County from 1882-1895. When his wife died he moved to El Reno, Oklahoma and began to collect Native American artifacts. In 1898 Mr. Van Ness offered "curios of Indian work" to Kendall Young Library and asked that the library "provide for their preservation." Forty-two items collected by Mr. Van Ness are on display in the Juvenile Department of the library. An Arapaho dance bustle ca. 1875 is the oldest item in the collection. Jane Young Stained Glass Window - The windows were presented to St. Paul's Universalist Church by Mrs. Jane Young in 1898. Charles R. and Joan M. Stauduhar donated the Jane Young Widow to Kendall Young Library in 1992 when the church was scheduled for demolition. The original window was located at the front of the church facing Bank Street and measured 6' by 14'6". In 1998 a stained glass firm was hired to remove the arch and divide the window into two sections so they could be installed in the library addition. Two lower horizontal panels were moved to the top of each window to complete the redesign. http://www2.youseemore.com/KendallYoung/about.asp?loc=18

From the owner: Kendall Young Library gives its patrons access to literacy programs, books, computer services,…read moreprinting services, digital literacy classes, and a variety of special collections including the Abastenia St. Leger Eberle Sculpture Collection, the Jane Young Stained-Glass Window, The Foster Doll Collection, the Van Ness Native American Collection and more. Kendall Young Library is a welcoming community center that empowers lifelong learning for all.