Et cetera : June Newsletter for the LaPorte Public Library

Renaming the Library

For over four decades, the Hawkins Memorial Library has stood as a cherished cornerstone of La Porte City, providing access to information, connections with one another, and enrichment for generations of residents. As our community continues to grow and evolve, so too must the institutions that serve it. In that spirit of growth and rejuvenation, the Board of Trustees is excited to announce that the Library has adopted a new name: La Porte City Public Library.

This change is not made lightly. The Hawkins name carries deep community significance, honoring the generosity of Anna and Roy Hawkins, whose dedication helped lay the foundation for our Library's enduring success. Their legacy will continue to be celebrated within the Library, with special recognition that preserves their important place in our history.

In early 1945, the LPC Lions Club worked with former Mayor Roy Hawkins to construct a community library. Roy appointed the first Board of Trustees, who raised funds for construction of a one-room library within City Hall. Starting with 100 books and a pledge of $1,000 from the LPC Lions Club, the Library was established in City Hall in October 1961 as the La Porte City Free Public Library. The Library enjoyed many fruitful years of service to the community, but as the community grew, the Library needed to be rejuvenated.

After the passing of Roy, Anna ensured her estate left a massive endowment to the Library to create a new space. After Anna's passing, her estate entrusted $80,578.43 on August 25, 1976, to Library Board Chairperson Ruth Redman by Bill St. Clair, executor of Anna's estate and Anna's brother. Full agency over the funds was bequeathed to the Board of Trustees.

Based on a community needs assessment, it was determined that a new facility was required to house the expanding Library of at least 4,700 square feet with a desired 8,200 square feet. The Board of Trustees sought a bond of $90,000 to match the donation received by Anna Hawkins, but the bond failed. Unperturbed, the Board began construction at 308 Main St., which offered a much smaller space at approximately 3,200 square feet. Construction was completed on October 12, 1981, and City Council passed a resolution naming the building.

Renovating the Building

Like the Board of Trustees in 1980, the current Board is moving to once again rejuvenate the Library, this time through a cosmetic renovation. From the 2014 Space Needs Assessment, the Library building is inadequately-sized to meet current needs for collection development, public seating, public computing, and program space. To meet community needs, the Library would need to expand from its current ~3,200 square feet to ~9,000 square feet. Unable to meet the monetary needs for such an undertaking and with no adequately-sized buildings available downtown, the Library's Trust Fund will be used to renovate the current building beginning in 2025.

Through this renovation, both Anna and Roy Hawkins will be honored in dedicated spaces and commemorative displays. The Board and Administration seek to ensure their generosity remains an integral part of our story. Anna, a former school teacher who was devoted to youth, will be honored by renaming the youth space to the Anna Hawkins Youth Area. Roy, who aided in the creation of the Library through community involvement, will be honored by renaming the meeting space to the Roy Hawkins Community Area.

At the same time, this renaming opens the door to a broader recognition of all those who have supported the Library across the decades. Countless donors, volunteers, and community members have given their time, resources, and passion to help the Library thrive. By adopting the name La Porte City Public Library, we embrace a more inclusive identity that acknowledges the shared effort and generosity of our entire community. On a practical note, this renaming also allows for greater search optimization. While the community recognizes the name Hawkins, much of our larger service population struggle to find the building, which is a 21st-century problem that is resolved with the renaming.

Community-wide Logo Contest

The name change offers a unique opportunity to engage our community in a fresh and exciting way. We are launching a community-wide logo contest, inviting residents of all ages to contribute their creative vision for the future of the library. This initiative not only fosters community pride but also ensures that the renovated Library identity is one we help shape together.

As we look ahead, the La Porte City Public Library remains committed to its new mission of "Challenging our community to reach, explore, and transform." With deep respect for our history and enthusiasm for our future, we seek to challenge ourselves and encourage you to think critically, embrace innovation, ensure our actions are just, and work toward a sustainable future.

To this end, you are invited to create a unique logo that incorporates the Library's new name and reflects the spirit of the Library as a civic asset for the city. The logo should include a mix of our three colors: red (#6d0020), blue (#001738), and green (#637c6b). The logo should include our two fonts (Lexend and Merriweather), and the logo should be in the shape of a circle or fit inside a circle.

More details, including the submission form, can be found at the Library, at City Hall, or on the website. Simply scan the QR code on this paper or visit our website at www.lpcpubliclibrary.org.

The Library is accepting submissions from now through Sunday, July 20, 2025. You will be invited to select a potential logo from July 21 through August 6. Based on your feedback, the Board of Trustees will vote to adopt the final logo, which will be immediately incorporated into the Library's marketing materials. Logos not selected will still be displayed in the Library wherever possible.

If you have questions, please call us at 319-342-3025 or email us at info@lpcpubliclibrary.org.

ACTIVITIES FOR JUNE*

Monday, June 2 @ 11 AM | Preschool StoryTime

Tuesday, June 3 @ 4 PM | Clay Lab: Video Game Characters

Wednesday, June 4 @ 6 PM | Mixing Mocktails

Thursday, June 5 @ 3 PM | Family Film Afternoon: Wreck-It Ralph

Saturday, June 7 @ 11 AM | Cinematic Saturday: Ready Player One

Monday, June 9 @ 9 AM | Summer Reading Challenge Registration Opens

Monday, June 9 @ 9 AM | Lunch with the Library Begins

Monday, June 9 @ 9 AM | All Day Activities

Monday, June 9 @ 11 AM | Preschool StoryTime

Monday, June 9 @ 5:30 PM | Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 10 @ 2 PM | STEM Lab: Wind Lift & Turbine

Tuesday, June 10 @ 6 PM | Puzzle & Game Swap

Wednesday, June 11 @ 11 AM | Lunch with the Library in City Park

Wednesday, June 11 @ 6 PM | Author Visit: Hanna Nuss

Thursday, June 12 @ 3 PM | Anime Club for Tweens & Teens

Friday, June 13 @ 3 PM | Closing Early

Saturday, June 14 @ 10 AM | Yard Games Outside (the Library building will be closed)

Monday, June 16-21 | Dolly Parton Scavenger Hunt

Monday, June 16 @ 11 AM | Preschool StoryTime

Monday, June 16 @ 1 PM | Mario Bros. Bingo

Tuesday, June 17 @ 3 PM | Dan the Juggler in Yellow Shoes

Tuesday, June 17 @ 6 PM | Color, Craft, & Connect

Wednesday, June 18 @ 11 AM | Lunch with the Library in City Park

Wednesday, June 18 @ 6 PM | Lessons of the Holocaust

Thursday, June 19 @ 10 AM | Advance Directives with Cedar Valley Hospice

Thursday, June 19 @ 3 PM | Family Film Afternoon: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Friday, June 20 @ 2 PM | Multigenerational Tabletop Gaming with the Dealt Hand

Monday, June 23 @ 11 AM | Preschool StoryTime

Monday, June 23 @ 1 PM | Forest Bingo

Tuesday, June 24 @ 3 PM | Recycle Relay with Hartman Reserve

Tuesday, June 24 @ 6 PM | Novel Notions Book Club

Wednesday, June 25 @ 11 AM | Lunch with the Library in City Park

Wednesday, June 25 @ 3 PM | Lego Lab: Build a Game

Wednesday, June 25 @ 5 PM |Tech Class: Technology Petting Zoo

Thursday, June 26 @ 3 PM | Family Film Afternoon: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Friday, June 27 @ 3 PM | Family StoryTime with BHC Extension Service

Monday, June 30 @ 11 AM | Preschool StoryTime

Monday, June 30 @ 1 PM | Bee Bot Coding Basics

* Coffee Conversations on Mondays has ended, but we are offering coffee service instead!