The library in the Mississippi River town of 310 in far-northeast Iowa is one of many libraries in areas with a population of less than 2000 people. The only difference is that this  small library was ranked 13th out of 1,561, which puts this library in the 99th percentile nationwide. Harpers Ferry was without a library 18 years ago when an older woman with 400 books to donate and a thirst for reading wandered by. A local booster club rallied and the mayor offered part of the gym at the closed school and The Harpers Ferry Public Library was born.

In 1999 the City of Harpers Ferry and the Harpers Ferry Library formed a committee to raise funds for a new library, city hall and renovate the community center. Through many fundraisers, grants, and personal donations our project was completed in the summer of 2001.  A generous donation from the Dolores Tillinghast Estate funded a great portion of the Library, therefore, the Library was named after Dolores Tillinghast, a long time resident of Harpers Ferry. A generous donation from the Ethel Robinson-Meehan family funded a great portion of the Community center renovation, therefore, the Community Center was named after Ethel Robinson-Meehan, a long time rural resident of Harpers Ferry.

We hope this Web Page will help you find more information and make your visit a happy experience.