Dear Editor,

For years, volunteers have worked on getting a new library in New Glarus that meets the needs of our growing community.  In the June 21st letter to the editor, there were questions and comments raised about the library project.  To address these issues, the Library Board would like to respond and provide additional information on the progress of the library project.

Question # 1: When did the building of a new library building begin? A task force was established in 2001 to determine space needs, create assessment criteria for properties and begin looking for property in New Glarus. In 2012, the Village Board approved the purchase of land next to the Swiss Center of North America; however a movement to have a downtown location led President Truttmann to form a subcommittee consisting of village and library board members to assess downtown sites. This committee determined that Glarner Park was the best site and recommended this to the Village Board. In 2014 a referendum was held giving voters the choice of the West Side site or the Glarner Park site. The Glarner Park site was favored by the voters and since that time, the Library Board has moved forward with concept design plans and hiring a construction manager at risk to move the project forward.

Question # 2: When does the Library Board hope to complete fundraising for the library building? As soon as the Village Board has secured land for a softball field, approves a plan and moves forward with this project, the Library Board’s Capital Campaign team will begin its second phase of raising funds to build the new library. During the first phase, $730,000 toward the $1 million goal was raised. In addition to the capital funds, the Library Board met a $10,000 matching fund challenge providing a $20,000 start to the operational reserve fund. Donations have also been made to the endowment fund. To help with the furnishing portion of the budget the Library Board received a generous donation from UW Madison, which includes a circulation desk, display cabinet and shelving.

In 2015 the estimated project cost for the new library at the Glarner Park site was $2,070,000. Because of the delay in starting this project, it has been estimated that costs for the new library will increase by 10% per year. This will increase the original amount needed to be raised, but the Library Board has a Capital Campaign team that is eager to get the fundraising started and see this project completed.

More detailed information can be found on the library (http://www.newglaruspubliclibrary.org/library-building-project-1) and village (http://newglarusvillage.com/government/library-project-information) websites, including the presentation from the public meeting the Library Board held on June 30, 2016. Library Board meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and board members are willing to answer questions concerning the project.

Both projects, the softball field and the library, will enhance what the village has to offer its residents. Let’s work together in a positive way to make this happen.

New Glarus Public Library Board of Trustees