Monroe Public Library in Monroe, WI
Located on the Historic Square in Monroe, Wisconsin
925 16th Avenue | Monroe WI 53566 | (608) 328-7010
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Reopening Celebration!

10/9/2024

 
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​We are thrilled to invite you to the Reopening Celebration at the newly renovated Monroe Public Library on Thursday, October 24, from 4 PM to 6 PM. We would be honored to have you join us at this open house as we showcase the beautiful transformation made possible by your generous support.

Our patrons have expressed their love and excitement for the new and improved spaces, and we believe you’ll feel the same when you see how your contribution has made a difference in our community.

While a few finishing touches still remain, including the installation of donor acknowledgment signs, we are eager to share the journey with you and show our heartfelt appreciation for your partnership.

A team comprised of representatives from our partner organizations, Green County Genealogy Society and the Literacy Council along with Board of Trustee representation, have organized a celebratory atmosphere with music, food, guided and self-guided tours. Stop by and enjoy this beautiful space, made possible by you!


Almost there!

5/27/2024

 
We’re almost there! While construction is nearly complete, we still have shelving and furniture to arrive. Plus, we have a lot of books to move around to make everything ready for you! The library will be closed June 3 through June 15 for these final big changes.

When we reopen on Monday, June 17, both floors will be open, with all collections available to browse. We can’t wait for you to see the whole space! Summer Reading and our summer events will also begin on June 17.

Consider June 17 our soft opening—some final details and finishes will be added over the next few months, and we'll hold a Grand Opening in the fall.
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We're getting Close!

5/6/2024

 
Some of the barriers on the 2nd floor are down, although the stairway will remain blocked off until we rejoin the two main floors into a fully-open library again. Believe us, we're just as anxious for that day as you!

The work is actually a bit ahead of schedule. The primary obstacle we're facing right now is the delays in delivery of construction materials, shelving, and furniture. Once those things arrive, we'll be down to the punch list.

The Green County Genealogical Society was able to move back into their quarters on the lower level this past week. They're glad to be home, but it will take them a while to get oriented and unpacked. We're sure they are as eager to welcome the public to their new space as we are.

When the construction is essentially done, we will close for a week to get everything back into place so the team can get their bearings one again. There will be a lot of moving and rewiring to be done at that time. Punch list work will continue for a few weeks after reopening.

We want to thank all of our patrons and donors for their patience during this time. We're almost there!

First Floor Shaping Up

4/18/2024

 
We're really getting close now! So much has been happening on the first floor! There's been electric work, wall texturing, glass installation, concrete sanding, painting, and more. The staircase is looking nearly finished, with the colorful decorative barrier soon to come. This week has seen the construction of the new Checkout Desk, and carpeting and glass installation in the new areas of the second floor.

The elevator has been having a hard time keeping up with increased traffic, and we had a few days where computers were out of order all over the system. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our patrons as we deal with these additional ups and downs (pun intended) beyond the upheaval of the construction project. It's been a true group effort, and we can't wait to show off the results.
Last week:
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This week:
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Staircase Sneak Peek

4/10/2024

 
 We are coasting toward the finish line! Both patrons and staff have adapted very well to operations on the 2nd floor, and our patrons have enjoyed seeing the gorgeous new teen room and other features. Work continues in the less-visible areas, as well. Changes to the basement level are virtually complete. Plus, the construction crew is hard at work on the 1st floor in the lobby, checkout, and staircase areas.
 
Our beautiful new staircase is growing inside the barricade cocoon. The photo included here gives you a sneak peek: its smaller footprint allows more patron space on the first and second floors! Other features of the staircase include built-in seating and display space. We're also really looking forward to the new set of front doors, which will make the library even more accessible. Plus, they will be much easier for staff to lock, making our work smoother and our library more secure after hours.
 
We know you have one big question: when will both floors be accessible together? Right now, we're hoping for mid-May. We can't properly express how much we appreciate the patience of our patrons as we look forward to unveiling these much-needed updates. It truly is exciting to see the project come together around the wonderful community that visits our library.
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Everything Is New Again

3/20/2024

 
The library is open! While work continues on the first floor and central area, we are providing services on the second floor only. A protective wall wraps around the center of the space, separating the library from the construction that's still happening. Our new teen room is providing space and computers for patrons of all ages, and we've moved fixtures and retasked shelving in order to provide a selection of adult fiction and first floor materials for checkout. It's been a fun week, seeing regular patrons and showing people around the space to see what they can expect for the next several weeks as the project finishes up. 

On the first floor, bathrooms are being gutted, and the lobby and vestibule are taking on a new shape. The Checkout Desk has been removed, waiting for a new piece of furniture. On the second floor, concrete has already been poured to create the new square footage, and a new staircase has been put in place.

Our team has been fantastic, always game to move shelving, furniture, and books, plus being so flexible in providing service in new ways. We are still enjoying working with McKee, who have been wonderful partners in this project.
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Missing You Amidst Huge Strides

3/11/2024

 
What a week we had last week!  We trust you love the usual spaciousness of the library just as much as we do. Presently, it’s sectioned into numerous small spaces to manage dust and ensure everyone's safety. As we gaze over the former vastness, we encounter a compact plastic enclosure while strategizing the optimal route to each destination. For a few days, accessing the restroom required both an elevator journey and a brief outdoor excursion from one building entrance to another.

Then came the demolition. The original staircase has vanished to make room for a new, more secure design. The familiar checkout counter has been dismantled. Many shelves have been relocated to free up space. Our internal moving team has worked tirelessly to ensure the construction crew has the access it needs. We’ve encountered challenges, such as false fire alarms, elevator breakdowns, and delayed materials delivery. It has also been the noisiest period thus far. Nonetheless, witnessing the rapid pace of transformation is exhilarating!

Looking forward, we aim to resume operations on the 18th. There might be a potential setback, but we are working with the general contractor’s site manager to prevent such a scenario, as we are eagerly anticipating reconnecting with you, our patrons. Your patience is very much appreciated.
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Preparing for what's Next

2/23/2024

 
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We're giving everyone a heads up that the library will likely be closed Monday, March 4 through Saturday, March 16. The construction crew will replace the central staircase at this time, which will mean cutting the retiring staircase into small sections in order to remove it.  Also, a crew will be installing steel support beams to expand the second floor. This work will create an incredibly loud and potentially dangerous environment for our patrons, thus the closure. Also during this time, the library team will prepare for providing service on the second floor. After this closure, the library will be open on the second floor only. Patrons will enter from a side door and use the elevator.

We will have more details for you soon about curbside and other services during the closure, as well as visiting the library when we reopen. Thanks for your patience, and stay tuned!

Making progress

2/23/2024

 
The project is really coming along on the second floor! Last week, architect Ray White visited the library to confer with Eric, site manager. 

Carpet has been installed and walls have been painted in the new Teen Room and the Literacy Council Room. The new blue and familiar orange colors look fantastic! 

Workers are currently tiling the restrooms in the basement and on the second floor, with a sleek new look. 

The library and construction teams are hard at work to coordinate a two-week closure of the library for loud, heavy work to take place on the central staircase. Tentatively, the library will be closed the first two full weeks in March. Additionally, during this time, library staff will prepare for providing service on the second floor. 

We're so excited to share the new space with you! Stay tuned for more details.
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Almost halfway!

1/26/2024

 
We're inching ever closer to the halfway point of the renovation as work continues on the second floor and basement. As we view the new work behind the scenes, we can really see a solid skeleton. The future layout is well defined and each new space has the studs at minimum. The rooms seem larger than we imagined. We hope they'll still feel that way when they're furnished!

A team member was watching the work going on through a security camera and noticed that she could see the outline of the old Monroe Clinic exam rooms on the bare floor where the adult fiction was. Watch for a photo on social media to have a look for yourself!

Along the way, we've had to make a few modifications to the plan after discovering some of the building’s secrets. There are support structures where we did not expect them, so we've had to go higher or lower, to the right or to the left. We don't think the changes will be noticeable.

Patrons have continued to be accepting about the limitations they are facing, and adults, teens, and children are using the same spaces very well together. We've actually been seeing a large increase in our teens coming in; and they've been very well behaved.

Looking ahead, both the library team and the patrons will find themselves adjusting again, as we make the change from the 2nd floor being closed to the 1st floor being closed. We'll be closed for 3-5 days when that happens, and our patrons will come back to yet another new experience.

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    Monroe Public Library Renovation

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