Monona County Libraries rank among Iowa’s best in statewide library data

Published 6:23 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2026

The Monona County Libraries are celebrating an impressive year of service and community engagement, with new statewide data showing that libraries throughout the county are making a significant impact.
According to the FY25 Iowa Public Library Dashboard, which compares library data across all 99 Iowa counties, Monona County ranks in the top 20 statewide in 9 of 28 measured categories.
Some of the county’s most notable rankings include:
3rd in Iowa for total program attendance
3rd in Iowa for onsite program attendance
6th in reference transactions
7th in registered borrowers
8th in annual library visits
10th in building square feet per resident
12th in non-government income
13th in physical collection
19th in total documented library uses
Monona County Libraries recorded 1.87 program attendees per resident, placing the county 3rd statewide. Onsite programming was also ranked 3rd, demonstrating just how much residents are taking advantage of the programs offered at their local libraries.
The county also ranked 7th statewide in registered borrowers, with 83.5% of the population registered as library borrowers. Annual library visits were another strong area, with 6.30 visits per resident, ranking Monona County 8th among Iowa’s 99 counties.
“These numbers are a wonderful reflection of the commitment our libraries have to the communities we serve,” said representatives of the Monona County Libraries. “Our libraries are so much more than places to check out books. They are places where people gather, children learn, families participate in programs, and community connections are made.”
The data also highlights the breadth of services being provided. Monona County Libraries recorded 16.57 documented uses per resident, including programs, reference assistance, circulation and other library services.
The statewide rankings are particularly notable because they reflect the combined work of the Soldier, Whiting, Mapleton and Onawa libraries, serving communities throughout Monona County.
While the dashboard measures 28 different areas and rankings vary from category to category, the overall picture demonstrates a strong level of community participation and library use across Monona County.
The Monona County Libraries would like to thank the residents, families, volunteers, Friends of the Library groups, community organizations and local supporters who make these programs and services possible. These rankings are ultimately a reflection of the communities themselves and the value they place on their local libraries.
Source: FY25 Iowa Public Library Statistics, Iowa Public Library Dashboard. Rankings compare Monona County with all 99 Iowa counties. Data updated September 25, 2026.