The library has changed in the one hundred years since it was established.  The collection 
now includes videos and audios as well as books, magazines, newspapers, and large print.  
Nineteen computers are available for public use, sixteen of which are connected to the 
internet.  Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parental permission form on file in order 
to access the internet.  All computers are subject to the rules of the Internet Policy and the 
Patron Behavior Policy.

An automated catalog and circulation system was completed in August of 2001.  At this time 
the library's catalog is not available by remote access.

                                                        PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The children's department maintains a busy programming schedule.  Preschool storytime is 
held on Tuesday morning at 10:30.  The Toddler Gang meets one Saturday morning a month 
and the After School Bunch (grades K-4) meets two Wednesday afternoons a month.  Youth 
in Action/4-H (grades 5-8) also holds monthly activities.  A monthly library newsletter is 
available with specific dates.

The library offers shut-in delivery by request.  The staff is also available for programming for 
community groups.  A small meeting room may be used by groups conducting meetings consistent 
with the library's activities.  Throughout the year, the library staff teaches computer classes 
dealing with beginning skills, internet, and e-mail. These are one session beginning-level 
classes.

The Cherokee Public Library is a participant in the Open Access program sponsored by the 
State Library of Iowa.  Anyone with a valid Iowa driver's license may check out materials.  
The library also participates in Access Plus, a service that provides materials as loans to 
and from other libraries.  Information and passwords for the EBSCO Database are available 
at the library.  This service is paid for by the State Library of Iowa and is offered to all Iowa 
residents.

Reference service by personal contact or telephone is backed up by the Northwest Library 
Service Area in Sioux City, Iowa.  Internet searching for legitimate reference questions will 
be done by the library staff as time permits on a limited basis.

Local history information is available in the genealogy room with two micro-reader printers 
for public use.  Cherokee newspapers from 1870 to the present are on microfilm as well as 
federal and state census films.

The Cherokee Area Archives maintain their own collection in a special room.   Family history 
files, local historical photos, pertinent records, and other local history items on paper are 
available.  The Archives is open from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday -Friday, and is staffed 
by volunteers.  It is also open by appointment.