The Webster County Genealogical Society has been ordered to move out of its space in the Fort Dodge Public Library by Nov. 21.

The Library Board of Trustees sent the society a letter last month ending its agreement for using space in the building.

“It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” Library Director Rita Schmidt said.

Library leaders cited two primary reasons why the agreement with the society is being terminated.

More space is needed in the building, and the society has not maintained regular public access to its collection, they said.

When the library by the City Square opened in 2000, the society, the Webster County Historical Society and the Karl L. King Municipal Band were each given their own rooms in the building. As a condition of having those rooms, each group was required to maintain public access to its collections.

The library is about to undergo a renovation, and the City Council hired FEH Design, of Des Moines, to do the necessary plans

Schmidt said the library needs more study spaces, meeting rooms, and an adult changing station, among other things. All of that will require more room, she said. Reclaiming the society’s space in the building will help to create the needed space, she added.

The Genealogical Society, Schmit said, is only using about half of its space. She said about half of the society’s materials have been transferred to the Iowa Genealogical Society.

The local society has not been able to maintain a public schedule, she said.

The Historical Society and the King Band will not be asked to move out of the library, according to Schmidt.