Libraries: A Great Local Government Resource in Tough Economic Times

What’s the best value for the money in times of economic trouble? The local library!

During the current financial crisis, everything seems down. But the use of libraries is way up, as people turn to this great local government resource for help in these troubled times. With the nation in recession, Americans are visiting their local public libraries more often and checking out items with greater frequency. Libraries across the United States report that more people are turning to libraries in record numbers to take advantage of the free resources available there.

At Lancaster’s Schreiner Memorial Library, circulation was up 14% last year and 64% over the past three years. Computer use increased 24% last year and 47% over the past three years. Nation-wide, an all-time high 68% of Americans own a library card. Seventy-five (75%)of these card owners reported using their library during the past year. In Lancaster, where we keep our record of card holders more current than most libraries, 56% of local residents have library cards. In addition we have 1,842 nonresident card holders.

Libraries big and small across the country are seeing these double-digit increases as people need:

• Free Internet

• Help accessing government services (at all levels)

• Searching and applying for jobs (many applications are now only online)

• Learning new skills • Resources for a small business

• Entertainment for the whole family (books, DVDs, CDs, storytimes, gaming, and movie nights).

• Information on Filing your tax return (computers to allow you to complete and file a federal return for free)

• Resources for dealing with stress, change, and life’s difficult times

No longer institutions devoted solely to book circulation, today’s libraries provide citizens and businesses with Internet connectivity, career development, childhood literacy, and other important services. Libraries provide a high return on investment to local communities. Multiple studies show that for every $1 invested, libraries provide an economic boost of around $5 and are a part of local government’s vital role in the nation’s economic recovery.

For more information about your local library, visit the Schreiner Memorial Library Website  To learn more about the City of Lancaster, visit www.lancasterwisconsin.com

 To learn more about the American Library Association, visit www.ala.org

Penny Power

I started a fund-raiser and community awareness campaign – code named Penny Power.  Around the community you will see change jars. We are asking community members to donate their pocket change to help us raise funds for the new Library and Community Center.  We are using the slogan – Please use your cents to help us build a new library.   This project is intended to raise some funds but, as importantly, to keep this project in front of the community and let them know that we are moving forward with the project.  We have plans to increase the number of collection points and have some activities planned at the local schools.  This project has been warmly received and we appreciate the donations we have received to date. Be well.

 

Brent Straka – Library Foundation Board Member

Rumors?

Life in a small community comes with lots of benefits. Close relationships with others, community spirit, pride of place, among others. However, like most small towns, chance meetings and formal gatherings alike provide the opportuntiey for discussion of the latest topics. Small town dwellers are not surprised by many of the rumors they hear and often lack a way to verify the facts on the latest news they heard at the coffee shop, corner, or church fellowship hall.

Lets discuss a few of the latest rumors about the project.

1) Rumor: The Community Center is just “code” for moving City Hall offices into a new building.

A: Only administrative offices for the Library and space for managing the Visitor center and the History Center are provided in the building plans. City Hall was renovated in 1999 and provides ample space for current City Administrative functions. There are only two offices in the plan. One for the Library Director and one for the Chamber of Commerce which is in the same space as the Visitor Center.

2) Rumor: The History Center will be exclusively owned and controlled by the Grant County Historical Society. No other displays will be allowed. No room for Lancaster items is planned.

A: Final plans for the History Center are not complete. However, the Grant County Historical Society is expected to manage the majority of the display space. Approximately 1/5 to 1/3 of the 3,800 square feet is being considered for a) a permanent Lancaster display, b) space for a rotating displays, and c) a space for other Grant County communities to use on a rotating basis. The entire building will be owned by the City of Lancaster.

If you have heard something you wish to have an answer to, feel free to contact Alan at the Library 608-723-7304 or Scot at City Hall 608-723-4246 scots@lancasterwisconsin.com

Leaving a Legacy

All gifts to help build the new Lancaster Community Center are much needed and very welcome. All donors will be recognized in the new facility.

Gifts at certain levels can be designated for a room or program area–to honor or memorialize an individual, family, business or group. Each sponsored area will be named with a special commemorative maker.

The Campaign Committee has identified several potential areas for designation. 

Naming the Library . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . .$1,000,000

Children’s Collection & Story-Time Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300,000

Fireplace Reading Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000

Technology Center (Computers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000

Local History Archives & Genealogy Center . . . . . . . . .$100,000

Adult Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000

Young Adult Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000

Large Study Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000

Large Print Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20,000

Audiovisual Collection (audio books, DVD’s, music)  . . . . .$20,000

Service Desk/Reference Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25,000

Popular Materials Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,000

Individual Study Rooms (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(each) $10,000

Book Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,000

Administrative Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,000

Copy Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .$5,000

Naming the History Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . .. .$500,000

Main Display Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . .$50,000

Designated Display Areas:

“Lancaster County Seat” Exhibit . . . . . . . . .$35,000

“Grant County at War” Exhibit . . . . . . . . . .$35,000

“Pleasant Ridge” Exhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35,000

“Native Americans” Exhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35,000

“Local Communities” Exhibit . . . . . . . . . . .$35,000

“Cunningham Collection” . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35,000

Archival Storage Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,000

Artifact Storage Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,000

Volunteer Work Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,000

Community Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000

Main Lobby Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000

Outdoor Terrace/Reading Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000

Community Center – Geothermal Heating “Green” Features . . . . . . . .. . . . . .$300,000

Community Center Elevator/Accessibility Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000

Community Center Outdoor Performaing Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25,000

Community Center Art Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,000

 

 

 

Community Center Gathering – Come Hear an Update!

Dear Friends,

After months of hard work and commitment from several individuals, the plans for the Lancaster Community Center are taking shape. You are encouraged to come and hear an update on the project and see how the concept is shaping into reality.

On Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30pm, there will be a gathering in the Council Chambers, 206 S. Madison St. to report on progress.

In addition to an update, attendees are invited to ask questions and provide feedback. Please come and hear first hand about the progress of this very exciting project.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend. Light refreshments will be served.

See you there,
Lancaster Community Center Team

Community Center Project Seeks $100,000 Kresge Planning Grant

As community members came together during the early planning process for our Community Center project, it was clear immediately that they wanted a sustainable building ── one that will be a source of pride for the current generation and a legacy for generations to come.

There is no question that the Kresge Foundation’s Green Building Initiative Planning Grant program provides enormous encouragement for small communities, like Lancaster, to consider seriously the possibility of meeting LEED^® sustainability standards. Because  of this encouragement, Lancaster is aiming for the top of those standards:  the Platinum level of certification.

A Kresge Planning Grant for $100,000 was submitted. If we receive the planning grant, we expect that our resulting Community Center will become a destination point for people interested in the planning process, the resulting structure, and the role of the Kresge Foundation in both.  

The Community also expects to apply for various other grants and foundation awards. If you are interested in assisting with telling our story through grant writing, please contact Scot Simpson at 608-723-4246 or scots@lancasterwisconsin.com.

 If you have any questions about the sustainable features of the project, please contact Alan Tollefson, the Director of the Lancaster Public Library and our “green champion.”  His telephone number is 608-723-7304 and his e-mail is atollefson@swls.org.

$100,000 Gift from Lancaster Library Foundation Announced

The Lancaster Public Library Foundation announced that it will pledge $100,000 toward the development of Lancaster Community Center. These are funds accumulated prior to the start of a fund raising campaign for the project.  In addition, the Foundation has previously invested over $50,000 toward the planning and design of the facility and $45,000 in support of the fund raising effort.

 

The Lancaster Public Library Foundation, founded in 1982, is the source of financial support beyond that provided by the City that enables the Lancaster’s Schreiner Memorial Library to fulfill its vision as “the community’s center for lifelong learning”. This includes funding for books, special programs and materials for the library.  The nonprofit foundation is governed by local community and business members and funded through private and corporate donations, endowments and grants.

  

 “This is the precise place that people who gave their money to the Foundation would have wanted it to go, ” stated George Steele, President of the Lancaster Library Foundation. “The community center will serve the community and county for decades and we are confident that the community will get behind this project.”

$300,000 Gift from David & Mary Anne Bainbridge Announced

Longtime Lancaster residents David and Mary Anne Bainbridge have helped launch the campaign for a new Community Center with their gifts, including real estate.  The value of their contributions to-date are estimated at $300,000.  The Bainbridge Family’s support is designated for expansion in improvement of the Lancaster Public Library at its present site in Ryland Park.

            “Our four children greatly benefitted from Lancaster’s fine schools and its public library,” David Bainbridge said.  “We want to return something to this area and our hometown, which has been so good to us,” he explained.  The Bainbridge children include Mark of Galena, Il, an anesthesiologist; Gina is in private business, while Scott and Michelle are both nurse anesthetists like their father.  Mary Anne and David are especially proud of their twelve grandchildren, five of whom reside in Lancaster.

The Bainbridge’s have developed many commercial properties in Lancaster and across the country through their Bainbridge Land Development Company.  They have supported a number of other community development projects and are members of St. Clement Parish in Lancaster.

David and Mary Anne said they feel strongly that the Community Center project is vital to the future of area children and the educational opportunities it will provide, pointing out that all their children were active users of the public library.  “The library is such an important institution for everyone in this area.  It’s time we all got together to invest in its future,” David added.

A campaign committee comprised of Lancaster area citizens hopes to raise $3 million to $4 million to help fund the Community Center project.  The expanded and improved public library is the cornerstone of this plan, according to Lancaster City Administrator Scot Simpson.  It will be constructed adjacent to the present library structure built in 1958.  Time and heavy use have created numerous space and infrastructure deficiencies in the present library facilities.

When this essential first step is completed, other key components of the new Community Center will be implemented.  These include:  (1) A multi-purpose community room with kitchen facilities to accommodate a variety of gatherings, activities and programs.  (2) A History Center – to be situated in space now occupied by the library – to relocate and incorporate the collections of the current Cunningham Museum, as well as artifacts owned by the City of Lancaster and local residents.  (3)  Space to highlight the talents of area artists, with rotating art displays, including better display space for the library’s permanent local artist’s collection.  There is currently no space in the Lancaster area for artists to display their works.  (4)  A new performing arts venue – located just outside the Community Center in Ryland Park – with electric and sound connections and a safe, sturdy performance surface.

Many local and area groups have collaborated to determine the best and most economical approach to building a Community Center that would serve all Grant County area residents.  These groups include the Library Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation, the Lancaster City Council, Lancaster Historical Society, Grant County Historical Society, Nelson Dewey Heritage Society, Lancaster Tourism Committee, The Jaycees, Lancaster Historic Preservation Commission, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, and the Lancaster Community Band. 

Interest has been shown in designing the new Community Center with “green” features such as geothermal heating and cooling, water efficiency, renewable building materials, and indoor environmental quality.  These features can greatly reduce operating costs and improve occupant health and well-being.

Persons wishing more information on – or interested in contributing to – the Community Center project are encouraged to contact Library Director Alan Tollefson at 608 723-7304 or e-mail atollefson@swls.org.   Additional information is also available at the library’s website, www.swls.org/member.la.html.

 

 

 

Learning All Year Long

As the school year winds down, the summer library use season begins. Along with a multitude of summer recreation offerings and frequent trips to the pool, Lancaster area youth participate in summer reading programs and story times and make frequent trips to the library that extends their learning opportunities throughout the year. Make sure to visit the Library’s website to learn about summer programs and hours.

Celebrate History in Lancaster

The Grant County Board of Supervisors and the Grant County Historical Society wish to announce the return of the captured First National Flag of the Confederacy to the Grant County Courthouse. The flag will be unveiled on May 24^th, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. on the first floor of the Grant County Courthouse.

Featured for the evening will be Bob Welch of Dubuque, Iowa. Bob performs songs of the Civil War period, singing and accompanying himself on the guitar and banjo. His performances, a combination of music, history and story telling, Bob performed for us previously and was enthusiastically received by the audience, which was reluctant to allow him to leave.

Co-featured will be Colonel William W. Robinson, Colonel of the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and the Wisconsin Iron Brigade (portrayed by Paul Johnson, of Hiles, Wisconsin, his 2^nd great-grand nephew). Paul will cross the entire State of Wisconsin to share with us his uncle’s story as well as the story of the Grant County men who served in the Seventh and captured the flag on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Grant County Historical Society has raised over $17,000.00 for the restoration of the flag and the Grant County Board has provided a case to protectively encase this national treasure. We hope all the descendants of Grant and Southwest Wisconsin soldiers will be able to attend and be acknowledged. Descendants of General John B. Callis and Richard Huftill, two of the men directly involved in the capture of the flag, have been invited.

Please come and honor our veterans on Memorial Day weekend and be prepared to be entertained.