Bank, other groups donate to refurbish library’s Zastrow River Room

To The Press

First Security Bank & Trust has donated $12,000 toward renovations of the Zastrow River Room at the Charles City Public Library, the bank announced.

First Security Bank is donating $6,000, matched by the First Security Foundation for a total of $12,000, to restore the floor in the meeting space.

Many other local organizations’ contributions will be used to purchase new tables and chairs and to paint the room.

“I can’t thank First Security and our other donors enough,” said Annette Dean, director of the Charles City Public Library. “The meeting room is a tremendous asset to the community and this much-needed upgrade will ensure that it continues to be available as a public gathering place.”

The public library in Charles City has a history of such generosity and community support.

The first public reading room and library opened in the Hildreth Building, located on Main Street, in 1879. It would be 100 years of gathering funds, location hopping and advancement before the current location at 910 Clark St. opened.

The library’s mission statement provides insight into its goals: “Charles City Public Library brings people, ideas, and information together to enrich our community.”

From 1979 to 1998 the library served the community, but had no meeting space available to bring people together.

Katherine Zastrow, a former Charles City Council member, dreamed of literacy, community, connection and was a known library fanatic, current library Director Dean verified.

Her estate’s charitable contribution to the library enabled the addition of the Zastrow River Room, a space of more than 1,500 square feet, able to accommodate 150 people.

The Zastrow River Room contains multiple amenities, including a scenic view of the Cedar River, a projector screen, kitchenette, 25 tables, 100 chairs, WiFi and many outlets.

In addition to the library’s own programming, activities and outreach, the community uses the space for government public meetings, club and other organization events, and many other activities.

First Security recognizes that this donation is not just an investment in the Charles City Public Library, but the heart of the community itself, the bank said in a news release.

First Security Bank & Trust has locations across North Central Iowa and headquarters in Charles City.