First Security Bank & Trust and First Security Foundation Announce Donation to Charles City Public Library

Public libraries today often serve as the epicenter of a community. They are places of equality, learning, belonging, and creativity, where people forge connections and explore ideas. Though establishing such a place can be arduous, it only takes one person who dreams of community to pave the way.

Charles City, IA, would not be scared off by such a daunting task; the first public reading room and library opened in the Hildreth Building, located on Main Street, in 1879. It would be 100 years of gathering funds, location hopping, and advancement before the current location at 910 Clark Street, Charles City, IA opened.

From 1979 to 1998, the library served the community, but no meeting space was available to bring people together. The mission statement provides insight into the goal of the library. “Charles City Public Library brings people, ideas, and information together to enrich our community.”

Katherine Zastrow, former Charles City Council member, dreamed of literacy, community, connection, and was a known library fanatic. Her estate’s charitable contribution to the library enabled the addition of the Zastrow River Room, a 1,500+ square foot space, able to accommodate 150 people. The Zastrow River Room contains multiple amenities, including a scenic view of the Cedar River, a projector screen, kitchenette, 25 tables, 100 chairs, WiFi, and many outlets. The community utilizes this space for clubs, outreach, meetings, and events. With the Zastrow River Room, Charles City Public Library truly lived up to its mission statement as a center of the town.

The restoration project will include a new floor, new paint, new tables, and new chairs. Led by Katherine Zastrow’s example, First Security Bank is proud to donate $6,000, matched by the First Security Foundation for a total of $12,000, to restore the floor in the meeting space. Many other local organizations’ contributions will be used to purchase the new furniture and to paint the meeting space.

Annette Dean, Charles City Public Library Director stated, “I can’t thank First Security and our other donors enough. The meeting room is a tremendous asset to the community and this much needed upgrade will ensure that it continues to be available as a public gathering place.”

First Security recognizes that this donation is not just an investment in the Charles City Public Library, but the heart of the community itself.

Picture taken from Charles City Public Library Facebook.