Just over one year after a successful bid opening, the Edward U. Demmer Memorial Library will reopen and resume regular hours in its renovated and expanded building at 6961 West School Street in Three Lakes. “We’re still a little rough around the edges and some services may be limited for a period of time, but we have the go-ahead to open our doors to the public,” said library director Erica Brewster. “We’re very excited to share our new space with the community and invite everybody to watch it continue to take shape.”
The challenging weather at the end of January and February caused delays in furnishings, construction, and moving, and shelf space is still limited in the new building. But major occupancy issues have been resolved and the library has been cleared to open for regular operational hours.
The $2.1 million building makeover is the result of nearly a decade of planning and fundraising, and two years of design, engineering, and construction.
The project was catalyzed by a donation from the estate of Lawrence (Larry) Demmer, the son of the building namesake, Edward Demmer, which formed the basis of $1.1 million in private donations raised by the Three Lakes Public Library Foundation. Voters in the town of Three Lakes passed a referendum approving up to $900,000 in tax payer dollars applied to the project, and the Three Lakes Historical Society pledged $100,000 towards space in the new building.
In March 2017 the Demmer Board of Trustees appointed the Demmer Design and Construction Committee, made up of three community members, one Demmer trustee, and two library staff to oversee the selection of an architect and design and construction of the building.
The project remodeled the original 1971 building’s ground floor and lower level, and added approximately 3,400 square feet for a new children’s area, local history room, and space for a new year-round Three Lakes Historical Museum visitor’s center. The remodel provided improved access to the lower level conference and meeting rooms, plus two private study rooms and a “Libratory” hands-on learning space on the main floor. The entire building has been remodeled with ADA accessibility as a priority.
The Design and Construction Committee was officially disbanded this week by the Demmer Board of Trustees in recognition of their completion of the duties assigned. “This committee truly exemplified health and vitality of this community,” stated library board president Paul Kaiser, “The individuals on this committee came together and each contributed from his or her own talents in a way that made this project possible. There was a lawyer, an engineer, a community organizer, and dedicated staff, all led by a talented and dedicated individual who kept the committee focused and organized to the end. They took the burden off of the board of trustees and threw their passions into the project.”
Library board member Steve Garbowicz commented, “There aren’t recognition plaques enough in this world to acknowledge the work done by this committee.”
The library will hold a soft opening celebration on Saturday, March 9, with a grand opening and dedication to be held in early summer. Work on the project will continue with exterior improvements for parking and landscaping after snow melts in the spring.
Families who are “fostering” books on long term loan are invited to a book foster family reception on Wednesday, February 27 from 4 – 8 PM at the library. Fostered books may be returned in their containers, or foster families should watch for information on extended due dates to allow for more shelving to be installed.
For more information, call the library at 715-546-3391 or check the library’s Facebook page and website at www.demmerlibrary.org.
