At a meeting Wednesday, the trustees of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library in Eagle River discussed the effort to transfer ownership of the library property to the town of Lincoln. The City of Eagle River has owned the property since the library was built in 1980. However, City officials want to transfer ownership of the property and end its service as fiscal agent by August 15th.
President of the board of trustees, Lauri Steggbaurer, says the town of Lincoln wants the library building inspected for asbestos and soil contamination before making a decision about ownership. Another contingency would be the agreement of all other towns to continue their participation should Lincoln become owner and fiscal agent.
The town of St. Germain, one of the seven municipalities served by the library, decided at a meeting Tuesday not to support a transfer to the town of Lincoln.
According to state statutes, municipalities must either have their own library or participate in a joint library, such as Olson Memorial. The towns of Lincoln, Conover, Cloverland, Washington, St. Germain and Arbor Vitae are the towns participating in the joint library agreement.
All the other towns in Vilas county have their own libraries.
Also, August 1st, longtime Rhinelander High School librarian Nan Andrews will become director of Olson Memorial Library. She replaces Diana Anderson, who led the library for more than two decades. Andrews is excited about her new position….
"....I AM THRILLED, I REALLY AM...."
…and excited as well about the proposed expansion and renovation of the library..
"....I CAN’T WAIT TO GET GOING TO HELP THE LIBRARY AS WE MOVE ON WITH OUR GREAT, WONDERFUL NEW BUILDING PROJECT...."
Andrews currently serves on the Olson Memorial Library board of trustees building committee.
