December 21, 2017 at 4:16 p.m.
A community's library
Walter E. Olson Memorial Library 10 years in the making
A community's library
By Abbey McEnroe-
The Walter E. Olson Library Foundation members recognized the needs of citizens in the city of Eagle River and surrounding municipalities and began the long process of renovating and expanding the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library.
Background
The Walter E. Olson Library is one of two joint libraries in Wisconsin, meaning it is supported by several, separate municipal entities.
The library is in the city of Eagle River, but is supported by Eagle River and the municipalities of Cloverland, Conover, Lincoln, St. Germain and Washington.
The original library was constructed in 1979 after Walter E. Olson's passing in 1979.
Olson's foundation sold his property after his death with the library being a beneficiary of the proceeds.
Olson donated $350,000 for the construction of a new library building.
However, as time passed the communities grew and the library needs changed.
Seeing the changing needs, the library foundation began the process of fundraising for an expansion and renovation of the library 10 years ago.
Not wanting to attempt to pass a referendum and raise the tax levy in the six supporting municipalities, the library foundation decided to gift the library to the community.
With many volunteers dedicating great portions of their time to fundraising, the library foundation raised $1 million over the course of about six years.
However, the project needed $2.5 million to encompass all that needed to be done.
In the spring of 2013, the foundation received a call from a foundation wanting more information on the project. This foundation was revealed as the TAWANI Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Col. Jennifer Pritzker.
After filling out a grant application, the TAWANI Foundation called and told the
library foundation they would grant the library $1,605,000, bringing the library to its funding goal.
After years of planning, the library broke ground on March 30, 2016.
Now, after 10 years of tireless work and dedication, the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library was ready for its official re-opening.
Grand Re-opening
The room was buzzing with excitement as over 100 residents of surrounding communities filed into the newly renovated and expanded library on Dec. 15.
The vocal enthusiasm escalated with every moment brought closer to the grand re-opening ceremony.
As the official ceremony began the echoing roar dimmed to scattered whispers.
After the flag raising and national anthem led by the VFW Honor Guard, Chris Oatman began the ceremony and introduced chairman of the capital campaign Phil Jensen.
Jensen brought the audience through the journey of funding a library expansion and renovation, describing the struggle of not relying on taxpayer funds.
"The project has many heroes," Jensen concluded. "The hundreds of people who have pledged and donated the $2.5 million in this project have been incredibly steadfast and faithful in their support. Over all this time, 99.8 percent of all the pledges have been faithfully paid. 99.8 percent. That tells you what people in this community believe in."
Next to speak was Olson Library Foundation Nancy Schaffer.
"We wanted to accomplish this without going to referendum, which we were able to do," Schaffer explained. "Thanks to the generosity and commitment of Col. Jennifer Pritzker and the TAWANI Foundation and the area donors generosity we have now arrived at today's grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony."
Schaffer concluded by reminding the audience of the connection between libraries and democracy.
"Please remember, that whenever a library is opened, no matter its shape or size, democracy is also open," Schaffer concluded.
Library director Nan Andrews was the next to take the mic.
Andrews came out of retirement in 2014 after over 30 years of library director experience to help head the project at hand.
"The public library as an institution has historically been a great equalizer," Andrews expressed. "It's open and free to all, rich and poor, young and old. Anyone who desires information or simply a quiet place in which to read, to work, and to inform himself or herself. It is one of the few public noncommercial spaces of its kind that remain. We are also a place where people can meet friends, make friends, find adventures in materials that you pick up and become life long learners."
"The library of the future will be less about what it has and more about what it does," Andrews concluded. "This is your library and I want to thank all the people for helping make this library a credit to our wonderful community."
Retired Lt. Col. Jennifer N. Pritzker, president and founder of the TAWANI Foundation, was the next to speak, welcoming the community to the library.
Pritzker has a connection to the Eagle River community, as her grandfather purchased a home in Eagle River in 1937, which Pritzker now owns.
"Today marks the culmination of an idea that began a decade ago," Pritzker expressed. "An idea about renovating and expanding the library, not only for the flow and better use of space, but as you've heard from others, accessibility, parking, workspaces, infrastructure, to even energy efficiency. The most important reason for the renovation and expansion is to be able to serve the city of Eagle River and its patrons and the entire area, Northwoods. We need to keep up with the demand, meeting growing population in the area and survive the 21st century, all while still being relevant to generation after generation. Libraries are community builders, they're not only essential to improve the quality of life for residents, but play a meaningful role in the community ... This updated library is not just a library, it is a community and cultural center. A single source of equal access to opportunity found in Vilas County and the diverse communities of Wisconsin."
Pritzker went on to say that the library is for everyone in the community, and although the visible work is done, the community needs to come together to maintain what was built for generations to come.
"At the Walter E. Olson Library, there is something for everyone," Pritzker assured. "It's a place where people can distribute information, where common interest groups can meet, it's one of the only places that is common to all groups, at all times. As a community and cultural center, we will no longer be undervalued and isolated, we will add value, be relevant and lead into the future. Square foot by square foot, our modernization addresses future challenges, allows us a comparative advantage and provides us an equal playing field to other libraries. However, when we open our doors today and a fanfare is behind us, I call on each of you to uphold, preserve and maintain the great work that's been completed here."
"Most of all, the evolution of the library provides a tangible link to the past and a way to bring meaning to each of you," Pritzker concluded. "We have worked hard to preserve the original character of the building, while welcoming growth and expansion in the space."
Governor Scott Walker was the last to address the audience, thanking everyone who spoke before him and the community for coming together.
"This is going to be a great place for generations to come," Walker affirmed.
Reflecting on the re-opening
As the crowds began to disperse and the chatter once again rose, many key people involved in the grand re-opening began to reflect on the culmination of the library project.
Andrews had always wanted to work at the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library, however, the situation never presented itself until 2014.
Andrews worked in the Rhinelander School District as a librarian and library director for the past 30 years and came out of retirement to take on the role of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library director, her dream job.
Andrews assisted with every part of the process for the past two and a half years, vetting everything within the design and layout to assure maximum use of space.
Although the grand re-opening would be considered the pinnacle of the process to most, Andrews is most excited to reopen to doors to the community.
"I'm ready for us to go the next step, which is to open the doors on Monday (Dec. 18) to the public and to be open," Andrews expressed. "We've been closed for three weeks and I miss our people."
Jensen has been with the library foundation for 15 years and has worked to raise funds for the project since its inception 10 years ago.
Jensen attached himself to the project because he believes libraries are more than just the books they contain.
"(Libraries) are more than art and literature, they're a portal to the universe," Jensen expressed. "You can learn anything you want at the library."
Similar to Andrews' feelings, Jensen is ready for the community to make use of the years of struggle and hard work that is the library.
"We're excited for the community to actually come in and use the library on Monday," Jensen said.
Governor Walker decided to take the time and attend the grand re-opening because of the time and commitment given by the community members to ensure this library came to fruition.
"As you heard Phil and others say, when you have a situation where you've got six different municipalities, it's hard," Walker stated. "Not only is it hard to get that kind of a referendum through there, but just the reality that some might approve it, others may not. Do you say no to those who don't? I mean, that's just not going to happen. I think it was a practical decision on their part. But, it showed the love and affinity for good, public libraries here in the state of Wisconsin, regardless of how they're funded and that's, again, part of the reason why we wanted to come when we heard the invitation today because we just thought it'd be so great to see that a community could step up and say, 'We're not going to let that be a barrier, we're going to have a great library.'"
Walker also expressed the importance of a physical space of learning, even in the digital age.
"I think more importantly than just the books themselves are the interactions with people, to actually have an opportunity to see your neighbors, to talk about things, to come to the community room and in a time when we're so digitally driven, and we want to do more, we want to continue ... but one of the best ways to be connected is not just on the internet, it's physically being in the presence of your neighbors and this space here will help do that," Walker concluded.
Library additions
While the grand re-opening came to a close and community members filtered out, this is just the beginning of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library's journey.
Community members can expect a 4,500-square foot expansion, three study rooms, one public meeting room, one teen space, one self-check workstation, a technology area dedicated to digital creations and 19 parking spaces with an ADA space located near the entry.
The building has also improved their water systems to improve water management and decrease runoff into the city's storm water systems.
Visit the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library at 203 N. Main St, Eagle River, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturdays. The library is closed Sundays.
Abbey McEnroe may be reached via email at
[email protected].
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