Help Ripon Public Library “Think Outside the Books”
Ripon, WI - The Ripon Public Library is developing a new strategic plan for library services and your input is needed to help the library shape its services to meet the needs of our community. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RiponPL to take the survey or stop by the library for a paper copy. The survey should take about 10 minutes and responses are anonymous. In addition to the survey, staff are meeting with individuals and community leaders and will be holding a community conversation on Thursday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Silver Creek Room. Strategic planning updates will be shared on social media and in the library’s newsletter.
The library has been a pillar of the Ripon community since 1898 when it was built on land generously donated by the Nash family. The plans for interior renovations and outdoor updating will make it a showstopper location - a place the entire community will use with pride. With the renovations, there will be an increase in foot traffic to the library; other libraries have seen a 40% increase. “This will benefit our downtown businesses and retail stores. It is a solid return on investment with significant economic benefits,” said Mandy Kimes, Ripon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
The interior renovations will include a welcoming and efficient entryway, interactive play area for children, teen hangout spot, enlarged windows displaying a stunning view of Silver Creek, a new computer and study alcove, three additional enclosed collaboration spaces, and accessible family-friendly restrooms. The cost of the interior renovations is $800,000. In addition to the interior, the library is also planning to update the outdoor space increasing both accessibility and usability. The new outdoor space will be much easier to maintain; the annual cost is estimated to be $3,000 and will be covered by donations to the Ripon Public Library Fund. The total cost of the entire project is $1,800,000. The library is seeking grants for a portion of these costs.
The “Thinking Outside the Books” campaign capital has now raised $600,000 of the $800,000 needed for this first phase. “We are very pleased to have reached 75% of the first threshold goal; this includes 155 Extraordinary Women who donated to fund the new entryway. We hope the community will help us get over the top by August so we can begin construction in early fall,” said Andrew Prellwitz, past Library Board President and a member of the Campaign Committee. Peter Sensenbrenner, also a Campaign Committee member, added, “We are very appreciative of the support to date, but we are not quite finished yet.”
Goals for both indoor and outdoor improvements represent what is most important to this community: creating inclusive and welcoming spaces, using adaptive designs to meet future needs, expanding the programming area through the creative use of space, and becoming a destination for fun, natural beauty and programming from dawn to dusk.
There are many ways that you, your family or your business can be involved. Visit the library’s website https://riponlibrary.org/renovation/ to make a gift or contact Desiree Bongers dbongers@riponlibrary.org to set up a meeting with one of the committee members for more information and to discuss the way you can include your name on an area of the renovated library.
For more information contact Desiree Bongers at 920-748-6160.