NEW GLARUS — New Glarus Public Library will celebrate the beginning of construction for the new Library on Thursday, May 29 at 6 p.m. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the site of the new library located at 26 5th Avenue. CG Schmidt has been selected as the Construction Manager and OPN Architects as the architect for the new library project following a competitive process that recognized their expertise and commitment to quality and community needs.

The groundbreaking ceremony is open to members of the community regional library partners, and the libraries’ architectural and construction partners.

In July 2024, the New Glarus Public Library and the Village of New Glarus jointly submitted a grant application to the state’s Flexible Facilities Program. Their proposal outlined the need for a new public library facility, with the intended site being the existing Town Hall property in the downtown area. In October 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) approved their request, granting the Village of New Glarus $4.25 million to fund the library construction project.

“We are delighted to announce the upcoming groundbreaking for the New Glarus Public Library,” said Daniel Ramirez, President of New Glarus Public Library Board. “In our growing digital world, libraries play a vital role in bringing equal access information for everyone.”

The New Glarus Public Library is dedicated to serving the community by providing access to a wide range of resources and services. With your library card, you get free access to hundreds of thousands of titles available in a variety of physical formats, as well as electronic formats like Libby ebooks, Audiobooks, and eMagazines. Visit the library webpage for online tools and databases including Consumer Reports, Transparent Languages, and online newspapers to name a few. Use the library computers to research your family history on Ancestry.com. The library also offers a variety of programming opportunities from craft nights, genealogy workshops, book club, and dulcimer lessons for adults, to Story Time, Movers & Shakers, Lego Club, Summer Reading Programs, and so much more for kids. Need to print, scan, fax, or to get tech support? We’ve got you covered! Delve into local history with our friendly and knowledgeable staff. Help us to continue to provide these services for years to come by supporting the library through donations or by volunteering with our wonderful Friends group. The New Glarus Public Library is your hub for learning, discovery, and connection.

CG Schmidt, a family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Madison and Milwaukee. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community, and religious facilities. As a fifth generation, family-owned construction firm, CG Schmidt is a respected industry leader. The company has built a reputation for tackling some of the most recognizable projects that shape communities, and with a growing focus on community-based initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the areas where we build.

OPN Architects is a regional design firm with more than 117 designers in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. OPN offers a holistic blend of architecture, planning, and interior design services. They have an intentionally diverse list of clients and project types including libraries, education, public safety, health care, historic, corporate, and recreation. OPN’s architects and interior designers embrace our responsibility to care for each other and our planet through extraordinary design and boundary-free practice. Our commitment to excellence and our clients results in people-driven, award-winning designs.