While about 54 percent of libraries nationwide are municipal libraries, typically small libraries that serve one jurisdiction, 98.9 percent of Iowa libraries are municipal. With 538 libraries in 2002, Iowa had significantly more libraries than all but three states: Illinois, New York, and Texas. Of the four libraries in Scott County, three – Bettendorf, Davenport and LeClaire – are municipal. One, Scott County Library System, is a county library.

Nationally, state governments contributed an average of 11.7 percent of their public libraries’ operating income in FY 2002. Iowa provided an average of 2.9 percent to its public libraries. In Scott County, almost all library funding (from 91.9 percent to 96.5 percent) came from local sources, while the national average was 79.1 percent from local funding in FY 2002.

The HAPLR Index ranks libraries based on a weighted score for input measures (number of books, hours open, staff available, etc.) and output measures (circulation, visits, turnover of the collection, etc.). It uses data provided by each library to the Federal-State Cooperative Service. In 2004, based on 2002 data, Iowa libraries received a HAPLR score of 590 out of a possible 1000 and ranked 11^th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Locally, the Bettendorf Public Library had a score of 830 and ranked 26^th of 920 libraries of its size. The Scott County Library System had a score of 496 and ranked 480^th of 920 libraries of its size. Davenport Public Library had a score of 485 and ranked 278^th of 530 libraries of its size.

The four libraries serve distinct populations. Bettendorf serves an affluent suburb and focuses on providing best-sellers and well-reviewed new books. Davenport’s service area includes the urban core and the library offers extensive historical and other special collections. Scott County serves the historically rural area from its main library in Eldridge and eight branch libraries scattered over some 360 square miles. The LeClaire Community Library, which just opened in 2004, has served as a unifying force for long-time blue-collar residents and an influx of newer residents.

Two developments have the potential to reshape library service in Scott County. The first is the construction of the west and north-central branches of the Davenport Public Library, which are expected to draw customers from both the Bettendorf and Scott County libraries. The second is the push for government entities to share services, which is gaining steam at both the state and local level.

There are two main areas of concern regarding library services in Scott County. The first is the issue of reciprocal borrowing that has historically been greatest between the Bettendorf and Davenport libraries. The second is the method of funding the Scott County Library System, which has drawn complaints from leaders of the towns it serves.