Technology
Decorah Public Library provides free computer access to patrons and guests.
There are approximately 8 Public Access Computers (PACs) available for anyone (library cardholder or not) to use. All are equipped with basic software (including Microsoft Office) as well as high-speed Internet access. All have headphone jacks and USB ports. Black & white and color printing are available from all of the PACs.
Free wireless Internet access is available throughout the building.
Library staff can offer assistance with accessing the library’s public computers, copying, printing, ebook access and some basic tech related questions.
Assistance with personal computers, mobile devices, ebooks and general software inquires can be made by contacting Technology Coordinator, Jon Pankow, at 563.277.5183 or jpankow@decorahlibrary.org.
If you would like a little more help with your technology, Tech Help Sessions are available Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am - 11:30 pm by appointment. Please contact Jon Pankow using the contact information above to schedule an appointment.
DPL has a photocopy machine available for public use.
$0.10 transaction fee is charged per print job regardless of the number of pages printed.
Letter 8.5 x 11 Black/White $0.15 Color $0.75
Legal 8.5 x 14 Black/White $0.15 Color $0.75
Ledger 11x17 Black/White $0.40 Color $1.00
DPL will send and receive domestic (U.S.) faxes for a cost of $1.00 per page but is unable to send or receive international faxes.
To receive a fax at Decorah Public Library, have it sent to (563) 382-4524.
DPL's photocopier has the ability to scan a document and send it to your email free of charge. Ask a staff member to show you how it works.
Additional Services
If you are taking a class from a remote institution you may need to take a proctored exam. The library officers a proctoring service.
There is no charge for this service.
For more information, contact Director Kristin Torresdal @ 563-382-3717 or send email to ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org
The library offers free, limited, notary services by appointment only.
Appointments are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 - 11:30 AM.
Please contact Jon at 563.277.5183 or jpankow@decorahlibrary.org to schedule an appointment.
Notary service is typically available for:
- Permission slips or travel consent forms
- Power of attorney (basic or limited, non-real estate related)
- Vehicle title transfer or bill of sale (not involving dealerships or loans)
- Certification of a copy (when permitted by law)
- Simple affidavits, oaths, or sworn statements
Notary service is NOT available for:
- Government form I-9s
- Wills
- Documents of conveyance of real estate, mortgages, other real estate loans, documents or transactions or property transfers, including but not limited to refinancing or other types of real estate loans, purchases, sales, and beneficial interests in land trusts or deeds.
Notary Service Guidelines
- Notaries DO NOT prepare legal documents or provide legal advice.
- Notary service is limited to three (3) documents per person, per visit.
- A valid, government-issued photo identification is required for any library user seeking notary service.
- Please make sure all documents are unsigned before your appointment.
- Notaries cannot pre-date or post-date any action, prepare a legal document, give advice on legal matters, or notarize documents in which they have a personal interest.
- Decorah Public Library will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from library users using the library. A witness must (previously) personally know the person needing notary services. This individual must also provide valid photo identification.
- Information must be clearly written
- Notaries will not provide service if the library user, the document or any circumstances of the request for notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for Decorah Public Library.
Should a problem arise, the library's notary may at their sole discretion decline to provide notary service.
Notary services are also available at the following community establishments (call ahead for information):
- Banks and credit unions
- Shipping stores
- Courthouse
- Tax offices
- Real estate and insurance companies
The Decorah Public Library offers programming & classes in response to perceived community needs, patron requests, and suggestions made by potential presenters. Program series and classes may be long-term or short-term, presented by the library, or facilitated by one of the library's many community partners. Suggestions may be directed to Decorah Public Director Kristin Torresdal at ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org or 563-382-3717.
The Decorah Public Library has meeting room spaces that primarily are available to support library programs and functions that further the goals of the library. When not in use by library or library affiliates, the rooms are available for use by the public. These rooms are the two class rooms located in the mezzanine area and the Public Meeting Room located on the lower level of the library. In accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights (paragraph six) and its interpretation pertaining to meeting rooms, the library makes meeting facilities available on an equitable basis.
Use of the meeting rooms does not imply endorsement, support, or sponsorship by the Decorah Public Library of the activities that take place or of the beliefs of the group using the area.
To see further details or to book one of our public meeting rooms see our Public Meeting Room Availability page.
DPL offers basic reference assistance in person, via email, and over the phone. Library staff attempt to find answers within DPL’s collection, by using the Internet, or by referring the patron to additional informational sources.
DPL does not provide extended research or written research reports. The aim of reference assistance is to help the patron make use of the library’s collection and to use our knowledge of the collection and advanced information-seeking techniques for their benefit.
- For more information, phone the library at 563-382-3717 or e-mail at dpl@decorahlibrary.org.
Decorah Public Library ships large print books to libraries across Iowa.
