NEW GLARUS - A half decade has passed since New Glarus decided the public library needed to be rebuilt bigger and better, but construction may still be two years away, library board president Linda Hiland said.
"It's still an ongoing process," Hiland said.
The New Glarus Public Library has plans to continue fundraising but is still uncertain about when the village board will approve its plans. The main reason for uncertainty is the location of the new library.
"We're waiting for the village board to find a new home for the softball field at Glarner Park," Hiland said.
In the beginning, the library purchased about 2 acres of land less than a mile west of New Glarus. However, when residents found out the location, Hiland said people voiced opposition to the idea and told her they wanted the library downtown where it could best serve its patrons.
Village Board President Roger Truttmann asked the New Glarus Library Board if it would reconsider its planned location. A committee looked at locations and deemed the Glarner Park softball field as the best option in April 2014. After an advisory referendum to ask residents which site was preferred, the city dedicated $1 million in borrowing toward the new library.
The library board has raised $738,000 so far but halted the donation process until a decision could be made on the new location.
"They're not ready to open up their pocketbooks for another five years," Hiland said, "wondering whether this will happen or not during that time."
She added that a number of generous people have given so far and knows there will be supporters ready to give once the requests begin once more. Hiland estimated the total cost of the building will be roughly $2.5 to $3 million.
The current building stands at 2,100 square feet. Plans for the new building call for 12,000 square feet, with ample space to accommodate the needs of the current facility.
"The building is very, very small," Hiland said. "It's very undersized for the population we serve. And we just need space. The staff doesn't have a work area, really."
Plans include a community room with a capacity of 75 people, 10 computer stations in place of the three current ones; three study rooms for up to six people; a quiet reading area; a children's area; and a dedicated local history/genealogy area. Hiland said a motivation for more open space is the lack of programming New Glarus is able to provide to the community. She said more area for work groups and technology adaptations would bring the library up to par with similar facilities.
Currently, hopes are to have a groundbreaking in the summer of 2018. However, there are still issues for the village to arrange.
Truttmann said the agreement is in place, but replacing the sports field, which is used by a number of youth groups, is the first priority.
"That's the first step; finding where to put that ball field," Truttman said. "We are working on it."
He added that all fundraising will have to be complete before construction on the new building begins. Once the current building is evacuated, Truttman said the space will be absorbed by the village office staff.
"It's still an ongoing process," Hiland said.
The New Glarus Public Library has plans to continue fundraising but is still uncertain about when the village board will approve its plans. The main reason for uncertainty is the location of the new library.
"We're waiting for the village board to find a new home for the softball field at Glarner Park," Hiland said.
In the beginning, the library purchased about 2 acres of land less than a mile west of New Glarus. However, when residents found out the location, Hiland said people voiced opposition to the idea and told her they wanted the library downtown where it could best serve its patrons.
Village Board President Roger Truttmann asked the New Glarus Library Board if it would reconsider its planned location. A committee looked at locations and deemed the Glarner Park softball field as the best option in April 2014. After an advisory referendum to ask residents which site was preferred, the city dedicated $1 million in borrowing toward the new library.
The library board has raised $738,000 so far but halted the donation process until a decision could be made on the new location.
"They're not ready to open up their pocketbooks for another five years," Hiland said, "wondering whether this will happen or not during that time."
She added that a number of generous people have given so far and knows there will be supporters ready to give once the requests begin once more. Hiland estimated the total cost of the building will be roughly $2.5 to $3 million.
The current building stands at 2,100 square feet. Plans for the new building call for 12,000 square feet, with ample space to accommodate the needs of the current facility.
"The building is very, very small," Hiland said. "It's very undersized for the population we serve. And we just need space. The staff doesn't have a work area, really."
Plans include a community room with a capacity of 75 people, 10 computer stations in place of the three current ones; three study rooms for up to six people; a quiet reading area; a children's area; and a dedicated local history/genealogy area. Hiland said a motivation for more open space is the lack of programming New Glarus is able to provide to the community. She said more area for work groups and technology adaptations would bring the library up to par with similar facilities.
Currently, hopes are to have a groundbreaking in the summer of 2018. However, there are still issues for the village to arrange.
Truttmann said the agreement is in place, but replacing the sports field, which is used by a number of youth groups, is the first priority.
"That's the first step; finding where to put that ball field," Truttman said. "We are working on it."
He added that all fundraising will have to be complete before construction on the new building begins. Once the current building is evacuated, Truttman said the space will be absorbed by the village office staff.