Reference Services
A librarian is on duty at the Reference Desk during all the library’s open hours. Reference librarians are happy to answer questions for our library card holders in person, by phone at
641-754-5738, or by e-mail!
Online Databases 
Marshalltown Public Library has subscribed to these great databases for you to use in the library or at home! Due to copyright restrictions, these databases are limited to
Marshalltown Public Library card holders only.
Call or visit the library for log-ins and passwords.
 EbscoHost
Get full-text magazine, journal, and newspaper articles. Also in Español. Title list.
 Searchasaurus
Fun, informational database especially for kids.
 Kids Search
Fun, informational database especially for kids.
 Student Research Center
Database for grades 6-12.
 NoveList
Book suggestions and information designed for teen and adult fiction readers.
 NoveList K-8
Book suggestions and information for young readers up to 8th grade.
 Contemporary Authors
Current biographical information on more than 120,000 modern authors.
 City Directory
Search by name, address, or phone number for Marshalltown or the entire nation.
HeritageQuest & Ancestry Library - see Genealogy section below
An online collection of research materials, including census data, for tracing family history.
Reference librarians also suggest the following free Web sites.
Health Info Iowa : A reliable health information online resource.
State of Iowa : Information about Iowa, state government, travel and tourism.
Thomas : The Library of Congress’ federal legislative information site.
Genealogy 
Marshalltown Public Library maintains a small collection of local and family history as well as local newspaper archives on microfilm. Our library holds copies of the Marshall County census beginning in 1850 and Marshall County cemetery records. The library has microfilm readers and reader/printers.
Local history materials are available during the library’s open hours. A volunteer genealogist assists people visiting the library at no charge. Phone (641-754-5738), mail (36 N. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158), and e-mail research requests are billed at $15.00 per hour ($15.00 minimum) as well as minimal charges for copying and postage.
The Marshalltown Public Library has purchased, for our library card holders, access to both HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library, online genealogical databases:
Are you AT THE LIBRARY? Click here for Heritage Quest Online.
Click here for Ancestry Library*.
Are you AT HOME? Click here to enter Heritage Quest Online.
Ancestry Library cannot be accessed from home at this time.
*Ancestry Library is funded by a grant from the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.
Computers 
Internet
Marshalltown Public Library offers six free Internet stations. Five Internet stations may be reserved up to one day in advance by phone (641-754-5738) or in person. One 15-minute Internet station is available on a first-come first-served basis. Internet use is limited to one hour per day.
Free wireless Internet service in the library is donated by Dynamic Broadband.
Word Processing
Two PCs are available with Microsoft Office for word processing and desktop publishing. The PCs may be reserved up to one day in advance by phone (641-754-5738) or in person.
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