Building Campaign

Thanks to our planners, fundraising team, donors and contractors, the interior renovation of the Ellsworth Public Library space was completed in January 2023. So, what’s next?

Future plans include:

· HVAC system repair and equipment replacement (target date: 2025/26)

· Roof replacement (target date: 2026/27)

· Exterior renovation to create a welcoming outdoor community gathering space with seating areas, green space and walkways (target date: 2027/28)

· Window replacement (target date: 2029/2030)

If you would like to contribute to the library’s capital fund, please see donation options below. Donations of $1,000 or more are eligible for recognition on the library’s donor wall inside the north entrance.

Front View 388 W Main Street

Wall Smashing Event – (4/22/22)

View of the main level to the upper level – wall removed (5/4/22)

View of the main level from the upper level (5/4/22)

Makerspace opened up, upper level (5/18/22)

View of the storytime room, looking through to study rooms (5/18/22)

ramp to the left, stairs to the right (6/22/22)

Makerspace with display case, upper level (6/22/22)

History Room – former vault area (6/22/22)

ramp to upper level (7/22/22)

coffee station area, lower level (7/22/22)

Makerspace (7/22/22)

storytime/playspace looking through to study rooms, tan paint on the walls (7/22/22)

Makerspace with paint and tiles, upper level (8/11/22)

teen space with carpet and paint (8/11/22)

study/meeting rooms with carpeting (8/11/22)

Storytime/Playspace (10/7/22)

front entrance (10/7/22)

Makerspace (10/7/22)

front signage (10/12/22)

back signage (10/12/22)

outside book drop  (11/11/22)

makerspace (01/23/23)

meeting room (01/23/23)

history room  (02/22/23)

quiet reading area (03/02/23)

comfy seating (03/02/23)

RCU children’s area  (03/02/23)

Eggspert, statue front entrance (05/04/23)

$2 million (05/12/23)

new side tables (05/23)

Building Project History

Beginning in March of 2012, in preparation for writing the library’s Long-Range Plan for 2012-2015, the Ellsworth Public Library held several focus group meetings. The meetings were facilitated by John Thompson, Director of the IFLS Library System, of which the Ellsworth Public Library is a member. IFLS is a state funded organization that provides consulting and support services for 53 public libraries in a 10-county region in west central Wisconsin.

The community stepped up to the task and shared their thoughts about the library — what we do well, what is lacking and where they would like to see their library in the future. The information garnered from those meetings was critical in planning the future of the library. Armed with that information, the library’s Long-Range Plan was written and approved by the Ellsworth Public Library Board of Trustees.

Along with that planning document, John Thompson developed a Space Needs Report — an assessment of the current and future space needs of the library. That report was developed using comments from the focus groups as well as the Wisconsin Public Library Standards, and Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline. The goal of the report was to assist the Library Board and others with determining the best course of action in meeting the needs of the community and library patrons.

In August of 2012, the Ellsworth Village Board voted to approve the formation of a Building/Space Committee, charged with the job of investigating space options available to the library and the community. That committee explored a variety of options from 2012-2021. In late 2020, the property at 388 W. Main became available when the local BMO Harris Bank branch closed, and the building was purchased by the Village of Ellsworth in March 2021.

The Library Board hired Ayres Associates to create a blueprint for the space, fundraising commenced, and the renovation at 388 West Main kicked off in April 2022 with the hiring of Market & Johnson and a wall smashing event. A grand opening was held on January 23, 2023 and the library opened with full services the next day. The new space is four times larger than the previous location and houses meeting rooms, study rooms, creative spaces, gathering places, a local history room, display opportunities, and so much more.