Special Services

Community Meeting Rooms

The Community Meeting Rooms may be scheduled for meetings by local non-profit groups.There is no charge to use the meeting room.The meeting room at the Main Library holds approximately 100 people and can be set up for smaller groups. There are two meeting rooms at the Fairmount Library. A large room that holds approximately 65 people and a smaller room that holds approximately 25. Check out our Meeting Room page for more information or to book a meeting room.

An Iowa Communications Network (ICN) Room is available at the Main Library for videoconferencing. Call the Business Office at (563) 326-7841 for more information.

Copy and Fax Machines

Photocopiers are located at the Main Library and at the Fairmount Street Library.They provide letter, legal, and oversize copies and some provide enlargement and reduction options.Copies are 10c per page.

A Color Copier is available in the Main Library Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and at the Fairmount Street Library. Cost is $1 per copy.

A Book Copier is located in the Special Collections Center, which provides specialized copying for old or fragile books without harming the bindings.

Microfilm & Microfiche photocopies of newspapers, magazines, and government documents in the Special Collections Center cost 25c per copy.

Fax services are available at the Main Library's Service Desk and at the Fairmount Street Library's Service Desk. You may both send and receive documents.The FAX number at the Main Library is (563) 326-7840 and the number at Fairmount Street is (563) 326-7806. The cost for faxing is $1 per page to receive faxes and $2 per page to send faxes ($6 per page international). Payment may be made by cash or check. Incoming faxes will be held up to one week.For more information, call 326.7832.

Homebound Delivery

The Homebound Delivery Service provides books and other library materials to the homebound and those in nursing and other care facilities. Volunteer drivers regularly deliver and return library materials which have been selected and packaged for the homebound. Homebound patrons can specify types of books to be delivered, such as bestsellers, romances, westerns, etc. or may request specific titles.

If you are homebound and need this service or if you would like to volunteer to deliver books, please contact the Outreach Services Librarian, (563) 328-6835 or rkammerer@davenportlibrary.com for more information or to sign up.

Memorials and Gifts

Memorial contributions to the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library may be made at any time, in any amount and many excellent books and other library materials have been added to the Library's collection through such tributes.The donor may want to specify a particular subject area or interest to be selected or leave the choice to the Library's Selection Committee.For such remembrances, a card is sent to the family advising them of the memorial gift and the title(s) selected.The donor is also notified of the title(s) chosen.A memorial bookplate with the name of the person being honored and the name of the donor is placed inside each memorial book.

To Honor a person, a contribution to the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library may be made at any time, in any amount. The donor may want to specify a particular subject area or interest to be selected or leave the choice to the Library's Selection Committee.A card is sent to the person being honored advising them of the gift and the title(s) selected.Gift books can be used to honor someone's birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc.A bookplate with the name of the person being honored and the name of the donor is placed inside each gift book.

Checks made out to the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library may be mailed directly to the Davenport Public Library, 321 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801-1490, giving the name of the person honored by the memorial or gift.Contact the Library Business Office at 326-7841 for more information.

Notary Public

Davenport Public Library provides FREE notary service at the Main Library and the Fairmount Street Library during most hours of service.To inquire whether a notary is available, please call ahead to (563) 326-7832. Please be aware of the following guidelines for notary service:

If you have more than one (1) item to be notarized, please call and make an appointment.

Please bring a picture identification, such as a valid Driver's License, with you.

Please do NOT sign the document ahead of time; it MUST be signed in front of the notary.

If more than one person must sign the document, they must ALL be present at the time of notarization.

Davenport Public Library public notaries follow all regulations established by the Code of Iowa, Chapter 77.

For your information:A notary only verifies the signer's identity and that the signature was made willingly and freely.
Notarization does NOT

Prove a document to be true or accurate.

Legalize or validate a document.

Prove a statement under oath/affirmation is true.

Public notaries are NOT legal professionals; please do not ask them legal questions or for legal advice.

Outreach Services

Homebound DeliveryThe Homebound Delivery Service provides books and other library materials to the homebound and those in nursing and other care facilities. Volunteer drivers regularly deliver and return library materials which have been selected and packaged for the homebound.Shut-ins can specify types of books to be delivered, such as bestsellers, romances, westerns, etc. or may request specific titles.

If you are homebound and need this service or a person wishing to volunteer to deliver books, please contact the Outreach Services Supervisor, (563) 326-7893, for more information or to sign up.

Meals on Wheels

If you or someone you know participates in the Meals on Wheels program, you can also get books and other library materials delivered to your home.

Senior Outreach

Library staff regularly visit several senior centers and assisted living facilities in Davenport, bringing books, books on tape/CD, and other library materials.

Public Computers

The Main (Downtown) Library, Fairmount Street Branch, and the Eastern Avenue Branch all have a variety of computers for public use. These computers provide access to the Library Catalog, the Internet, Microsoft Office programs, and over 60 online databases of all kinds.

Computers are available for Internet access. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent while they use the Internet. Computers may be used for a maximum of two hours per day. A library card or computer use card is required to use the library's Internet computers. All public computers are subject to the Library's Electronic Access Use Statement and related guidelines of use.

Computers specifically for genealogical and local history research are located in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center.These computers include databases of local interest, genealogical resources such as Family Tree Maker, and research aides.

Multi-Media Computers, with a variety of programs and games for young children, are available in the Children's Department.Call the Children's Department at (563) 326-7900 for more information.

All library locations also offer free wireless internet access to users who bring their personal laptop computers or WiFi capable internet devices.

Web Printing Services

The Davenport Public Library now offers web printing services! You can now print web pages and documents from any internet-connected computer, laptop and other supported devices at any time from anywhere. To get started select one of our three Library locations to send your print job to. If you have questions or problems using this service please call us at (563) 326-7832 during normal business hours.

Print to the Main Library
321 N Main Street, Davenport, IA 52801

Print to the Fairmount Street Branch
3000 N Fairmount Street, Davenport, IA 52804

Print to the Eastern Avenue Branch
6000 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807

Special Needs

Davenport Public Library's buildings are Handicapped Accessible, including the restrooms, bookstacks, computers, and meeting rooms. Staff is available to assist anyone with special needs. The Main Library also has a wheelchair available for guests who need assistance.

The Library's Large Print Collection consists of thousands of books with print 3 times larger than print found in regular books.The collection contains all the latest bestsellers along with core collections of romances, mysteries, westerns, and non-fiction.

Books on Tape and Books on CD are available which include best-selling fiction and nonfiction, plus romances, mysteries, and self-help instruction.

The Main Library has a Color Magnifier that can increase small print, such as that in newspapers and on prescription bottles, to more than 6" high.Magnifying glasses and magnifying screens are available at the Reference Desk for use in the building.

The Library is an agency of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and has application forms for this program.If you have vision problems or a physical disability that limit your use of reading materials, you may qualify for a tape player and Talking Books, a free service to all Iowans.

A TTY/TTD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) is available at the Main Library's Reference Desk; it is available for the public to use.The Reference Desk accepts reference questions, circulation questions, reserve and interlibrary loan requests, etc. via the TDD (326.7843). An answering machine will take a message if staff are unable to immediately answer the call.Please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

A Closed Captioning Device is available at the Main Library's Circulation Desk.This device attaches toa television, allowing a hearing impaired person a method to "hear" television programs. It may be checked out for 3 weeks.It is especially useful for someone waiting to receive their own device or waiting for theirs to be repaired.For information, call (563) 326-7832.

Languages

English as a Second Language (ESL) materials, in book and audiovisual format, are available and many are targeted specifically for Vietnamese speakers.There are also materials to help Spanish, Thai, Cambodian, Korean, and Laotian speakers.

The Library has a small collection of materials in Foreign Languages, especially Spanish and Vietnamese.