Chamber Ambassadors joined Dragonfly Books to cut a red ribbon today for the store’s 15th Anniversary & a new ownership chapter.
Dragonfly Books opened on February 3rd back in 2011 at 112 West Water Street. Opening day was also Founder Kate (Nelson) Rattenborg Scott’s 50th birthday. Kate’s strong ties to the community as a fifth-generation Decorahian combined with her master’s of Library Science from the University of Iowa to create a local, independent bookstore in the heart of the downtown district.
Today marked not only the 15th anniversary of the store’s opening, but is also Kate’s 65th birthday.
Reflecting on her bookselling career, Kate remarks, “It has been an honor to carry on my family’s legacy in Decorah through Dragonfly Books. I have felt grounded and anchored through the small business community throughout the past 15 years. I am excited and proud to be passing the torch to the next generation. A big thank you to our customers and community for making my dream a reality!”
Starting with an initial order of less than 6,000 books, inventory has grown to over 15,000 individual books in 2026. Dragonfly’s core values serve as a guide in offering a carefully-curated and diverse selection of books, gifts, and educational items for customers of all ages and backgrounds, specializing in Scandinavian fiction in translation and regional nonfiction. Also highlighted are authors from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, many of whom have visited Decorah for book readings and signings.
In 2022, the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation was created in conjunction with Dragonfly Books as a recognition of the value of independent bookstores, especially as they relate to their surrounding communities. Through the Foundation, the community-centered, mission-driven work Dragonfly Books became known for was shifted to the nonprofit arm. The Foundation now supports Dragonfly Books’ robust event series—over 80 author and community events in 2025 alone! By partnering with regional schools, museums, public libraries, and other nonprofits, the Foundation has gifted over 9,500 books to the community since its inception.
Kate is no stranger to nonprofit work, having served on many boards locally and regionally, notably as President of the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association from 2019-2022, as well as a Board Director for the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Oneota Valley Community Orchestra – OVCO, and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. She plans to remain an active Board President of the OVLF in her retirement, and will retain ownership of The Silver Birch Christian Books and Gifts located four doors down from Dragonfly Books, which she purchased in 2019. Kate is most excited to spend more time with her husband Paul and travel, attend community events, build LEGO, work on jigsaw puzzles, and finally read a book for fun in her retirement.
Taking over ownership and operations at Dragonfly Books are Kate’s daughters, Sarah Krammen of Decorah and Rachel Rattenborg of Waukon. Sarah has been a familiar face at Dragonfly Books for most of the past 15 years and currently manages inventory, marketing, and events. Rachel has lived all over the country, always looking for a place to call home before realizing that NE Iowa was it. She has a strong history of customer service and retail experience in almost every kind of business, and manages accounting, staffing, and customer experience at Dragonfly Books.
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, exactly 15 years after the doors opened, Dragonfly Books hosts a day in celebration of community partnership. Public is invited to join owners and staff for a weeklong celebration—15% off the entire store through Saturday, February 7th. The celebratory discount is also live on the newly revamped www.dragonflybooks.com, featuring new logo art by local artist Oran Deen Lester.
Thank you Ambassadors: Ray Rinkol (Miller Law Office), Maureen Duncklee and Rachael Palmer (Viking State Bank & Trust), Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Zachary Shearer, Nic Wilz (Wealth Guide Advisors), Amanda McIntosh (Quadrant Financial Advisors – Thrivent), Dallas Steffen (Decorah Bank & Trust Co.), Cindy Hoyme (Kerndt Brothers Bank)
