Search
Close this search box.

Contact Us

Ask a Librarian

Ask a librarian when you need information or have a question or comment about a library program or policy.

Suggest Material

Help us grow our collection with books, playaways, movies, and other materials you want to see.

Interlibrary Loan

Request an Interlibrary Loan to find that out-of-print or specialty book you need.

How Do I...

Get answers to commonly asked questions about MPL and its services.

Volunteer at MPL

Want to volunteer at the library? Complete our application form and we’ll be in touch with opportunities!

Friends of MPL

The Friends of the Marion Public Library promotes the use of MPL and provides assistance and support for a variety of programs and services.

MPL Staff

MPL has a staff of both full and part-time employees who strive to provide the best possible library service.

Board of Trustees

The MPL Board of Trustees meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Meetings are always open to the public.

MPL Foundation

The Marion Public Library Foundation provides long-term financial support to enhance the services and collections of the library.

Ask A Librarian

Have a question about the library? Ask a librarian! Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you promptly.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Suggest Material

The Marion Public Library welcomes suggestions from library users. While we may not be able to acquire every title that is suggested, your recommendation will receive serious consideration. Alternatively, if an item you are looking for is not available at any library in the Metro Network (Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha or Marion), we may be able to get it from another library through Interlibrary Loan.

How Do I Make A Suggestion?

To make a request, please click here to complete the purchase suggestion form.

Tips for Suggesting Items
  1. Check the Library Catalog to see if we own the item before submitting your request.
  2. For older books (published more than one year ago), specialized technical books, or out-of-print materials, you may wish to consider Interlibrary Loan.

Make an Interlibrary Loan Request

If an item you are seeking is not available at any library in the Metro Network (Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, or Marion), we can often get it from another library through Interlibrary Loan.

How to request a book from another library outside the Metro Library Network:

  1. Log into your library account by clicking on the red “Log In/My MPL button at the top right of your web browser page.
  2. Enter your library card number in the Username or Barcode box.
  3. Enter your PIN number in the Password box.
  4. Click on the “Search” option.
  5. Click on “Keyword” in the drop-down menu.
  6. Click on the “Select Databases” in the gray section of the window.
  7. Click on the checkbox next to “SILO For Interlibrary Loan”.
  8. Click on the “Set Databases” button.
  9. Your search screen will now say “2 selected databases.” Enter the words which you want to search for in the text box and then click on the magnifying glass to search for the results.
  10. Locate the item in the list you would like to receive. Click on the “Place Request” button on the right side of the item you would like to receive.

Also be aware that when you search for an item the library does not own, you will see the message “No matches were found in the Metro Library Network”. Click there to search and request an interlibrary loan (fees may apply). If you need further assistance, please call the library at 319-377-3412, use the chat feature or reach out to info@marionpubliclibrary.org

Charges

The Marion Public Library charges $5.00 for each interlibrary loan received from an out-of-state library. The same fees apply per article for journal photocopies; we no longer borrow microfilm or microfiche, as we do not have a reader. The lending library may charge an additional $20.00 – $25.00 dollars.

Guidelines for Interlibrary Loan

  1. You must have a valid Marion Public Library card to request interlibrary loans.

  2. Please check the library catalog to be sure that the material is not owned by any Metro Library Network library.

  3. We will process up to five requests per patron at one time. This includes requests that have already been submitted but are not yet completed. Fill out a separate form for each item.

  4. Please fill out all required fields, indicated by an *. The more information you provide, the better chance we will have of finding your item.

  5. Interlibrary loan materials are borrowed from other libraries. They set the due dates for how long you will be able to borrow items. Please do not remove any labels or bands that identify the item as an Interlibrary Loan item and please return them on time!

  6. We cannot request items with a copyright within the past year; but ask us and we can add the item to our collection!

Library Staff and Leadership

The Marion Public Library has a staff of full and part-time employees who strive to provide the best possible library service.

Leadership

Bill Carroll – Library Director
Amy Geiger – Foundation Director
Sue Gerth – Readers Advisory and Collections Manager
Ashley Osborn – Marketing & Special Events Manager
Kylee Pusteoska – Programming Manager
Bob Reynolds – Patron Services Manager
James Teahen – IT & Facilities Manager
Kimberly Cowger – Administrative Assistant

Marion Public Library Foundation

The Marion Public Library Foundation was established to provide long-term financial support to enhance the services and collections of the library. Gifts to the Foundation’s permanent endowment increase the amount of income available for future library projects.

Click here to donate to the Marion Public Library Foundation.

Board Members

Leah Rodenberg – Chair
Julie Lammers – Vice Chair
Kaylin Emery – Treasurer
Mark Ahlers
Jill Ackerman
Bob Hoyt
Mark Hudson
Susan Kling
Gretchen Kreigel
Wynelle Lindsley
Nancy Miller
Brady Quinn
Bob Read
Kim Rose
Tamara Strand
Vaughn Klopfenstein

For more information about the Foundation, call the library at (319) 377-3412. All contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of the law under 501(C)3 status.