Olson Memorial Library
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December 2017 The of OLSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY “A library is a great place to learn and spend time with family and friends. We hope it becomes your home away from home.” A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW AND THE THREE LAKES NEWS PAGE 2 OLSON LIBRARY GRAND RE-OPENING WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27, 2017 THANKWalter E. Olson Library YOUFoundation We’re honored to have been selected to help complete this important community project in Eagle River. THIS MESSAGE SPONSORED BY THE FOLLOWING CONTRACTORS: • HOT MIX ASPHALT • CRUSHED GRAVEL Superior Plumbing • ROAD BUILDING • CHIP SEAL COATING • DRIVEWAY SEALER • TENNIS COURTS and Heating, Inc. • STREET PRINT DECORATIVE PAVEMENT MARKING 4135 King Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501 Telephone: (715) 479-7488 or (800) 379-7488 Joshua Joslin, Master Plumber #638423 Fax: (715) 479-7438 715-272-1625 • 715-272-1660 8075 Highway D [email protected] Eagle River, WI 54521 www.pitlikandwick.com Pella Commercial INTERIOR • EXTERIOR • STAINING • PAINTING • PRE-FINISH SHOP Sales Consultant EPOXY FLOORS • WALLPAPER • FAUX FINISHES • CAULKING Rob Coleman was proud to work on this project. 500 Pilgrim Way, Green Bay, WI 54304 (715) PellaWI.com 800-242-1008 358-0808 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27, 2017 OLSON LIBRARY GRAND RE-OPENING PAGE 3 Library grand re-opening celebrated New $2.5 million facility designed for community ___________ BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR ___________ “The updated library not only serves as a ofspaces, environmentally-friendly materials community and cultural center, but also as a and opportunities for the community. I hope technology hub for our residents and visitors this library is a place for community-build- to explore, interact and imagine.” ing connections.” That’s how Library Director Nan An- The new building now has an additional drews described the Walter E. Olson Memo- 4,500 square feet of space and houses new rial Library at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for study areas and reading rooms, a new public the newly expanded and renovated library meeting room, young adult and teen space, Dec. 15, 2017. self-check station and a technology area ded- Nearly 200 Eagle River area residents, lo- icated to digital creations. cal officials, donors, library leaders and vol- “This updated library is not just a library, unteers gathered for the festive event. it is a community and cultural center — a Among the speakers at the grand re-opening single source of equal access to opportunity celebration were Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker found in Vilas County and the diverse com- and philanthropist and retired Lt. Col. Jen- munities of Wisconsin,” said Pritzker. “Li- nifer Pritzker of Tawani Foundation. braries have always been filled with More than $2.5 million was raised to ren- resources available for free to anyone. How- ovate and expand the library, with $1.6 mil- ever, today’s libraries are not only reading lion coming from Pritzker, president and and research centers, but community toolkits founder of Tawani Foundation, the philan- that provide individuals with the resources thropic arm of Tawani Enterprises Inc. Other they need to grow.” gifts were raised from private donations. Andrews told the audience more than Pritzker told the large audience at the cer- 35,000 books line the walls of the library, emony that her family has owned a property which started in 1897 as a small reading on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes since 1937 room. Today, the library is one of several joint and has many memories tied to this area. libraries in Wisconsin and is supported by six “Congratulations to the Walter E. Olson municipalities, including the city of Eagle Memorial Library. I am honored to help ded- River and towns of Cloverland, Conover, Lin- icate the Abram Nicholas Pritzker and coln, St. Germain and Washington. The li- Robert Pritzker Wing, after my grandfather brary has about 75,000 visitors per year. and father, respectively,” said Pritzker. “The Walter E. Olson Memorial Library is “Through these men, I was taught the impor- a great transformational project that deliv- tance of investing in the community you live ers on meeting the changing needs of the in. This building stays true to its legendary Nearly 200 people attended the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expanded community,” said Andrews, who led tours fol- and renovated Walter E. Olson Memorial Library. —Staff Photos By GARY RIDDERBUSCH design, but adds more modern features, open lowing the ceremony. Gov. Scott Walker also attended the grand Behind the scenes dition to the north side of the existing library re-opening and noted the library has doubled The project was designed by OPN Archi- at 203 N. Main St., with an expanded park- in space to more than 11,000 square feet to tects, with offices in Cedar Rapids and Des ing area to the east. The single-level building serve communities in the area better. Moines, Iowa, and Madison. The building took advantage of the original architecture “The Walter E. Olson Memorial Library’s project was led by the general contractor, and amended the roofline, which had created status as a joint library supported by six DeLeers Construction Inc. of DePere. Several problems. nearby municipalities is an excellent exam- local contractors also were involved in the The finished plans include an enlarged ple of communities coming together to share project. computer area, study areas, a cozy fireplace knowledge for the common good,” said DeLeers Project Manager Rod Golonka for reading and talking, an expanded chil- Walker. “I’m proud to be here for its reno- said the building plan went well with the as- dren’s area and a young adult space with vated grand re-opening, and I’m confident it sistance of the foundation, OPN Architects gaming area. will remain the area’s historical, go-to public and subcontractors who participated in the Other new parts of the library include a source of knowledge for years to come.” project. Tinker’s Studio for patrons who want to cre- Nancy Schaffer, president of the Walter “The plan worked out very well,” said ate films, work on genealogical projects or Olson Memorial Library Foundation, said Golonka. “This is the first library I was in- transfer videos to digital. the goal of the library supporters was to ex- volved in while I was at DeLeers. But it was There is also a community room with pand without going to a referendum and us- pretty straightforward. We came in at bud- large folding-glass doors with an art display ing taxpayer dollars. get.” area and special lighting, and a central infor- “Thanks to the generosity and commit- Golonka said the foundation was excellent mation desk for library employees and vol- ment of Col. Pritzker and Tawani Foundation to work with through the project. unteers. Joining Andrews on the staff are and the area donors’ generosity, we have now “They had a strong emphasis on purchas- Mickee Stuckemeyer, administrative assis- arrived at today’s grand re-opening/ribbon- ing from local suppliers and using local sub- tant, and Pat Lamon, children and youth ser- cutting ceremony, and for that the founda- contractors as much as possible,” said vices coordinator. There also are 32 tion, the board of trustees, the building Golonka. “I had weekly progress meetings volunteers who perform 106 hours of free ser- committee and the communities served by with the foundation and on-site construction vice per week. Retired Lt. Col. Jennifer Pritzker of Tawani the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library and superintendent Shane Alger.” There is a book drop directly into the Foundation helped dedicate the new Walter the A.N. Pritzker and Robert Pritzker Wing building on the east side, adjacent to an off- E. Olson Memorial Library during the ribbon- are most humbled and grateful,” said Schaf- Project highlights cutting ceremony Dec. 15. fer. The $2.5 million budget allowed for an ad- Turn to CELEBRATION, Pg. 4 PAGE 4 OLSON LIBRARY GRAND RE-OPENING WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27, 2017 Come and enjoy our new facility! ___________ BY LAURIE STOEGBAUER BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT, WALTER E. OLSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ___________ Although it has been long in coming, the partment of Public Instruction and our li- renovation and expansion project is all the brary is a member of the Northern Waters board of trustees hoped for and we are de- Library Service. This is a joint agency of lighted with the new library. So many peo- Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, ple in our communities have been Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn counties, serv- responsible for making this happen and we ing over 155,000 residents. This agency’s want to thank everyone. mission is to provide access to quality li- The Walter E. Olson Foundation had a brary services that enrich the communities dream and, after years of commitment and of northern Wisconsin through training and countless hours, made it happen. The foun- education. dation formed a building committee of their There have been many benefactors for members, the trustees, the library director this project. Donations have been received and the community to aid in planning this from individuals in our communities, as facility. well as businesses. The board of trustees represents the six In one of the many dark hours of this separate entities that form the joint library project, it was necessary to provide a tem- district of Walter E. Olson Memorial Li- porary location for our library without hav- brary. Each community selects representa- ing to close. At that time, Ministry Health tives based on population. These Care (now Ascension) came forward to pro- communities and representatives are Mary vide a donation in kind by giving us a space The Walter E.