Appearing to the Stanley City Council Monday June 4, library board members and others updated the council on the fundraising campaign to expand and renovate the D.R. Moon Memorial Library, as well as demonstrate how the library remains important to the area.
“We’re modern. We’re relevant, we do a lot for the community,” board member Jim Ericksen said as he reported that the D. R. Moon Library saw 100 checkouts a day. In addition to books, a modern library such as the D. R. Moon also has computer, printing, Wi-Fi hot spot, and job search services, with DVDs available for checkout as well.
As for the addition and renovation plans, Council members were given a digital walk through of the proposed building project, with special attention given to a downstairs community meeting room that would be available for use by community members and organizations, as well as for classes and senior gathering. Kolbe Windows is set to restore the library windows and Wisconsin Bench is reportedly donating the furniture for the renovation.
With the fundraising campaign total now standing at a half million for the $4.2 million project, presenters said that many private fund donors were looking to see more city buy-in before they committed funds of their own to the library addition and renovation.
With the debt limit set at $9 million and current city debt $1.3 million, the council is expected to act at its next meeting on a resolution regarding city buy-in in the form of bonding.
“Approving the resolution doesn’t necessarily mean we have to borrow,” Mayor Mike Henke said, framing this as a way to show willingness on the city’s part to support the library’s fundraising campaign with private foundation donors, resulting in support from these in turn. Should the resolution pass, the $4 million bond to be paid back over 10 years, starting one year from when the funds were made available. It was thought that private donations would offset city contribution over time, with the total project cost set at $4.2 million, said to cover “everything” regarding the planned renovation/addition. Now 123 years old, the D.R. Moon Memorial Library was dedicated in 1901 by D.R. Moon’s widow Sally Moon, “for the free use of the people” as stated on a library fireplace plaque.
Among the ways the city of Stanley already helps the library, meanwhile, is with annual budget funding, totaling $103,000 in 2024. The city also includes the library in updates in the quarterly water bills and newsletter, helping the library to communicate with the community. The city contributes to building upkeep and is morally supportive of the library’s efforts in the community, maintaining open lines of communication with the library director and board, for which the board expressed gratitude.
Check back next week for more council news.