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Ottosen IowaPhoto: Brandonrush · Public domain
Libraries near Ottosen

Ottosen has no public library of its own; the nearest is Bode Public Library in Bode, 4.9 miles away

Ottosen doesn’t have a public library of its own. The closest is Bode Public Library in Bode, 4.9 miles away. Many small-town libraries give cards to neighbors, sometimes for a yearly fee, so call ahead.

–Civic lifeNot graded: fewer than 1,000 residents
In brief

Getting a library card from Ottosen

Ottosen borrows from the libraries next door

Ottosen has no public library of its own, but four libraries are within 10 miles, the closest being Bode Public Library in Bode (4.9 miles). Many small-town libraries give cards to people from neighboring towns, sometimes for a yearly fee, so call ahead. Nearest libraries ↓

The closest isn’t the one open longest

Bode Public Library is nearest, open about 25 hours a week. West Bend Public Library, 5.4 miles away, is open about 38 hours a week, so it may be easier to fit in. Nearest libraries ↓

The nearby libraries are all fine-free

None of the four closest libraries charges late fines. Nearest libraries ↓

This summary is written from the numbers on this page. Distances are straight-line from the town center.

Civic life grade

What’s behind Ottosen’s civic life grade

Ottosen isn’t graded on civic life: TownRatings grades towns of 1,000 residents or more.

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Civic lifeA character grade: shown, never part of Ottosen’s overall grade.

Civic life counts registered nonprofits, library visits and online volunteering groups, so it can miss civic life that runs through congregations, mutual aid or neighbors looking out for each other.

Library visits: IMLS Public Libraries Survey, FY2024. Nonprofits: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, October 2026. Volunteering: Social Capital Atlas (Opportunity Insights), from data by Meta Platforms, Inc.; Chetty et al., Nature 2022. How TownRatings grades civic life →

Nearest libraries

The closest is 4.9 miles away

Closest first, measured from the center of Ottosen. Each one’s hours, and whether it charges late fines.

How to read these numbers

What this data can and can’t tell you

From the Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024.

  • The library’s own count. Libraries report their own visits, loans and programs. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.

Hours are the survey’s yearly average; libraries are compared with others serving about as many people. How TownRatings uses library figures →

Questions about the library and civic life in Ottosen

Does Ottosen have a public library?

No. The closest is Bode Public Library in Bode, 4.9 miles from the town center. Many libraries give cards to people from neighboring towns, sometimes for a yearly fee, so call ahead.

What is Ottosen’s civic life grade?

Ottosen isn’t graded on civic life: TownRatings grades towns of 1,000 residents or more. How it works.

Book talk

Reading, story times and the library in Ottosen.

Town Square →
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Libraries: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Each library reports its own numbers. Distances are straight-line from the town center. “What your card is worth” uses typical retail prices and is an estimate, not an official figure.