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About the Library

Address:

1101 6th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302

Phone:

(319) 377-3412

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 – 5 p.m.

Parking Information
Book Drops & Pickups
Restrooms
Accessibility
Safety Information

Our Staff

MPL has a staff of both full and part-time employees who strive to provide the best possible library service. To email a member of the library’s leadership team, click on their name below.

Library Director

Foundation Director

Readers Advisory & Collections Manager

Marketing & Special Events Manager

Programming Manager

Patron Services Manager

IT & Facilities Manager

Administrative Assistant

Special Library Hours

Special Library Hours

MPL will be closed and/or have modified hours on the following days:

New Year’s Day: Closed

Good Friday: Closed

Easter: Closed

Memorial Day: Closed

Independence Day: Closed

Labor Day: Closed

Veterans Day: Closed

Thanksgiving Eve: Open 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day & Day After Thanksgiving: Closed

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day: Closed

New Year’s Eve: Open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 
In addition to the dates above, the library opens at 10 a.m. on the 3rd Friday of every month for staff meetings, unless otherwise indicated by social media.
 

Parking Information

Parking Information

The library’s parking lot is located on the south side of the building. Patrons can enter and exit the parking lot from both 11th and 12th Streets.

When the parking lot is full, free, on-street parking is available on 11th Street and 6th Avenue. Additional free, on-street parking is available throughout Uptown Marion.

Book Drops & Pickups

Book Drops

In addition to returning items at our Information Desk, MPL has three book drops:

  • One exterior, walk up drop on the north side (6th Avenue) of the building.
  • One inside drop in the south (main parking lot) entrance.
  • One exterior drop on the south side’s drive thru.
Items can also be returned to both the downtown and Ladd Cedar Rapids Public Library branches or the Hiawatha Public Library. Book drops can also be found at area HyVee stores, located just inside their entrances.

Holds Pickups

MPL has two options for picking up materials on hold:

  • Pick up materials inside from our holds wall, located behind the Information Desk on the main level.
  • Pick up materials from our drive thru, located on the south side of the building. Patrons can access the drive thru from the 11th Street parking lot entrance.

When placing materials on hold, patrons should select “Marion Public Library” to pick up materials inside the library, and select “Marion Drive Up” to pick up materials in the drive thru.

 

Restrooms

Restrooms

Restrooms can be found on the library’s main level, right off of the parking lot entrance, as well as the second level in the hallway next to the public computers. A family restroom is available on the main level in the Youth Collection. Baby changing stations are available in all restrooms, and an adult changing station is available in the main level restroom.

The library also has a caregiver’s room for nursing caregivers, or other patrons who would like additional privacy. Patrons looking to use this room should ask staff at the Youth Services Desk to unlock the door.

Accessibility

Library Accessibility Resources

MPL strives to ensure library services are accessible to all individuals.

Adult Changing Table & Caregivers Room

MPL’s first floor restrooms have a stall equipped with an adult changing table. Additionally, the library has a Caregivers Room on the main floor of the library in the Youth Collection for nursing patrons or anyone who needs a quiet space. This room is kept locked; staff at the Youth Desk can provide a key for access.

Library Materials

The library has an expansive large print collection, located in the Marketplace on the main level. This collection is made possible through generous donations from the Marion Noon Lions Club.

Listening Aids

The library’s Community Room has listening aids available for patrons who are attending library programs or private meeting room reservations. Aids can be checked out from the Information Desk on the main level.

Parking & Library Accessibility

MPL has three ADA parking stalls in the south side parking lot. Patrons should use the ADA path from the parking stalls along 11th Street to the ramp entrance, which will take them to the south entrance doors. The 6th Avenue entrance is a flat entrance. Both entrances feature automatic buttons to open the doors.

MPL also has a full service drive-thru holds window for patrons to pick up their materials. This window is open daily during regular library operating hours.

Sensory & Dementia Inclusive & Certified

MPL is certified Sensory Inclusive through KultureCity. KultureCity promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all patrons with sensory issues who visit the library. The library’s Social Story and available resources can be found here. MPL is also a dementia-friendly facility through Dementia-Friendly Iowa.

Website

The library utilizes UserWay, a web accessibility tool, to provide digital accessibility features on the library’s website. Some of the features of this tool include dyslexia-friendly font, text spacing, contrast adjustment, and text resizing and spacing.

Wheelchair

A wheelchair is available for in-library use on a first come, first served basis from the Information Desk on the main level.

Safety Information

Library Safety Information

To keep patrons and staff safe, MPL has the following safety equipment in place:

  • Three automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
  • Fire extinguishers located throughout the building
  • Emergency exits on each level of the library
MPL has two stairwells that serve as shelters in case of severe weather and other safety situations. Patrons who remain in the library during a severe weather situation must shelter in the stairwells until an “all clear” signal is given.

MPL Tour Request Form

From field trips and school tours to group meeting requests, library staff is available to provide tours for patrons of all ages. If you’re interested in having a tour at MPL, fill out the form below and our staff will be in touch! Tour requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure staff availability.

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