“Busy,” is how Dwight T. Parker Public Library Director Cathy Smith described the library’s first days back into its remodeled and expanded home after a year away during the construction process.

Smith followed “busy” with “very busy” after the library was closed for just over a week to move from its year long temporary home on 11th Street back into its expanded location on Lincoln Avenue.

The library received a $4,250,000 grant fund awarded toward its approximate 6,000 square foot expansion/remodeling project through the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration’s “leftover funds grant” given to them for the Flexible Facilities Program.

Smith stated it was a last minute decision to open its new doors Oct. 5, but within 15 minutes of posting on Facebook that the library was open, people started stopping in.

“We had well over 100 people that first day back and it stayed a steady flow all week,” Smith stated.

She went on to say, “I’m just so glad people can get back in here and have all of our collection of materials available again after over a year. And people were glad to be able to stop again too.”

Smith said that “pretty much” everything is out of storage at Krantz Hardware and at their temporary location, but she expects everything to be back in the library by the end of the month.

“Everything is finding their home,” Smith stated.

Smith also stated that they were scheduled to have their last project meeting with the architect and contractor to discuss maintenance wrap up.

“We also have some metal shelving back at the temporary location if anyone is interested in taking it,” Smith also mentioned. “A goodwill offering is always appreciated but not necessary.”

Grand opening/rededication

After a tentative date of Nov. 7 for the library’s “official” grand opening and rededication, Smith explained that after some discussion it was decided to move the grand opening back to Tuesday, Dec. 29.

“We just decided that a few weeks would not be enough time,” Smith explained. “We want to make it a big deal because it is a big deal.”

The Dec. 29 date will also coincide with the 102nd birthday of the library. The later date will also give time to have a historical retrospective on display on the history of the library.

Smith stated the time on Dec. 28 hadn’t been decided yet, but probably sometime later afternoon that day.

“We want to have time to get the word out on it and have a big, big turnout that day,” Smith stated.

In the meantime, the community is more than encouraged to stop in and see all the library’s many new amenities including an expanded public computer area/laptop bar, revamped children’s area, reading areas with cozy chairs, and much more.

Dwight T. Parker Public Library hours are:

• Monday—9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday—Noon to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday—9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday—Noon to 6 p.m.
• Friday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday—9 a.m. to noon.
• Sunday—Closed