Library Dedication Open House & Next Chapter Gala
Saturday January 27th, 2024
Dedication & Open House | Community Celebration 10am- 12pm
10am Dedication Speeches
Library Tours following Speeches
Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library
We will come together to celebrate the culmination of years of planning, hard work, and dedication. Our program will include heartfelt speeches from community leaders and key contributors who have played a vital role in bringing this magnificent library to life.
This dedication ceremony is a moment to honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to an even brighter future for the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library. We invite you to join us in this joyful occasion as we officially open the doors of this new chapter in our community's history. Together, we will create a legacy of learning and connection for generations to come. This event is free and open to all, no tickets needed.
Grand Gala | Ticketed Event 6pm-9:30pm
6 pm | Welcome Reception and Appetizers with Live Entertainment
7:30 pm | Donor Recognition & Grand Celebration with Dueling Pianos and Dessert
9:30pm | Parting Remarks
We are thrilled to invite you as we celebrate the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. This beautiful library has been a cornerstone of our community for generations, and tonight, we gather to usher in a new era of learning, discovery, and connection. We invite you to don your finest attire. Opt for elegant evening attire, such as stylish cocktail dresses, or well-tailored suits.
As you explore this remarkable space, you'll find a feast for the senses awaiting you. Our appetizer stations have been carefully curated to tantalize your taste buds with an array of delectable treats, showcasing the flavors of our region.
To complement the culinary experience, we are proud to feature a selection of local beer and wine, celebrating the rich brewing and winemaking traditions of Baraboo and the surrounding areas. Raise your glass to the library's bright future while enjoying the beverage offerings that make our community unique.
And what would a celebration be without entertainment? Our lineup of live performances that will captivate and entertain you throughout the evening. Featuring local musicians Zach Ott and Gretchen Roltgen, and regional performers Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos.
During these events, we celebrate not just a building, but the heart and soul of our community—the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library. Thank you for being a part of this momentous occasion, and we look forward to creating countless memories, learning, and growing together in this incredible space.
Additional info:
- Parking- - Self park. There is a (new!) parking lot behind the library, off the alley. It is close to the north entrance of the building. The alley works well for dropping people off by the North door, if that is helpful. Overflow parking is on 4th Ave in front of the library, or in the Sauk County parking lot across 4th Ave from the library, which are convenient to the South entrance to the library.
- Dress code is semi-formal
- Food and drinks are complimentary with ticket.
- There will be some seating available throughout the event for any who prefer to sit.
Project Wrap-Up (Nov. 30, 2023)
Thanks to the support of the Baraboo community, the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library renovation and expansion project has reached substantial completion. (There are a few small details still in progress). The renovated section of the library is now open to the public (the new addition opened in June). Library visitors have started enjoying the newly renovated space and we have heard lots of happy comments. Save the date for our building dedication celebration that will be held Sat. Jan. 27th 10a-12p, with the Next Chapter Gala that evening. More details to come on Jan. 27th events.
We are so grateful to our donors who sponsored rooms in the renovated library and in the new addition: W.R. and Floy A. Sauey Foundation Community Meeting Room, Ronald Persche Memorial Historic Reading Room, Wichern Family Reading Room, Dayl F. and Carol D. Sorg Historic Reading Room, Lois and Gordon Krunnfusz Memorial Storytime Room, Sylvester Budig Memorial Children’s Learn and Play Space, Jack and Dorothy Edwards Study Room, Dr. Mary S. Grant Study Room, Jane Manz Memorial Study Room, Beatrice Statz Study Room, Ken Lange Study Room, Dennis and Linda Hohl Study Room, and Janette Accola Memorial Study Room.
The renovated rooms include: collection stacks for Adult Fiction (upstairs), Non-Fiction & Media (lower level), 4 study rooms (upstairs), a community meeting room, 2 historic reading rooms, and 1 quiet reading room, plus lots of cozy nooks with comfy seating. We will begin reserving study rooms and meeting rooms in January. Until then, study rooms can be used on a first come, first served basis. The meeting room and Auditorium are not available to the public now, but will be starting in January, when they can also be reserved. We will share details on room reservations in the next month.
Renovation of Carnegie building, grounds work (Nov. 2023)
Renovation of the Carnegie (original) part of the building is well underway. Work on parking lot, sidewalks, curbs, and landscaping is nearly complete. Interior renovation is nearly complete, then installation of furniture, shelving, and moving of collections.
The new addition is open and providing most regular services. Total project completion and re-opening of the renovated part of building is expected by December 1st. The building dedication and celebration will be held January 27, 2024.
Halfway There Open House! (June 14, 2023)
The Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library is excited to welcome the community to our Halfway There Open House event to celebrate the halfway point of our expansion! Our library is growing and we are excited to give the community the opportunity to see the progress being made inside the new space. Our open house will feature tours of the newly opened spaces, including the Children's area and Teen areas. Our Friends of the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library will also be providing frozen treats from Sugar Rush Truck and beverages from The Frenchie Press coffee truck.
Tours and Treats from 2 to 6 PM on Wednesday Jun 14, 2023!
New Addition of Library Opens (June 12, 2023)
The library re-opened to the public on June 12, 2023, after 4 week planned closure for moving and installing shelving and furniture. Library services are operating out of the completed new addition, while renovation work on the original part of the building is underway. Renovation work and final project completion is expected to be approximately October 2023.
Groundbreaking (April 2022)
It was a chilly day for an outdoor gathering, but spirits were high at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library Expansion and Remodel Project. The event attracted quite a few stakeholders, library card holders, planners, and public servants interested in the future of Baraboo’s public library.
Before the ceremony began, library assistant Cari Jo Teasdale read a story about building a library to small children in attendance. The kids got to take home little construction helmets and special cookies provided by the Friends of the Library.
Mayor Rob Nelson kicked off the event, followed by remarks by Pete Vogel, President & CEO, Vogel Brothers Building Co.; past Library Board President Dr. Mary Grant; Joan Fordham, Vice Chair, Baraboo Community Development Authority (CDA); and Julie Lassa, State Director, Wisconsin’s office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development.
The event finished with the ceremonial breaking of ground and group photos.
Library Construction Update (November 30, 2021)
We are pleased to share the good news that our loan from the USDA has been approved! We will now be able to move forward with the library expansion project. We will be working with the project team on a new timeline, which we will share when it is finalized. Thank you for your continued support in this project.
Library Needs You to Get Loud One More Time! (October 2021)
We were notified recently that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Rural Development office, the group processing our loan application for the library expansion, is requesting a public hearing to show that there is public support for the library expansion project. The public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, October 14.
We know that many library supporters cannot make it to a public hearing. There is a wonderful way you can show your support for the expansion project that will be both convenient for you and very useful evidence of community backing: Send an email!
Email your support for the project to Pat Cannon, Executive Director of the Baraboo Community Development Authority, who is the city official who is overseeing expansion project funds. He will share the emails with the USDA.
Baraboo Public Library Expansion Project Gets Historic Preservation Approval
JULY 14, 2020 – The Baraboo Public Library passed a key milestone in its expansion process last month when the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a state-level arm of the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places, approved the final architectural concept for the expanded library design. With this hurdle crossed, the City of Baraboo’s application for a $6 million loan for a portion of the building project through the United States Department of Agriculture can move forward. Read entire article (PDF)
Revised floor plans reflecting requirements for SHPO approval - Part 1
Revised floor plans reflecting requirements for SHPO approval - Part 2
Baraboo Public Library Expansion Project: What You Can Do to Help NOW
Presentation to Baraboo Common Council on 5-28-2019
Get Loud for the Library Initiative
Read the case for expansion in 2021:
Tour of the Library Expansion Conceptual Drawings
We have developed a video guided tour of the architects' three conceptual drawings. Please watch the video and then share with us your opinion about which design would best help the library serve the community. Comment on our Facebook page, on comment cards available in the adult department of the library, or by emailing our director, Jessica Bergin, at jessica(at)baraboopubliclibrary(dot)org.
Library Facts from the Library Kid-2
Mary Bowers Speaks up for the Baraboo Public Library
Taxpayer Talk from the Library Kid
Lacey Steffes Speaks Up for the Baraboo Public Library
Customer Service from the Library Kid
Anna Krause Speaks Up for the Baraboo Public Library
Library Facts from the Library Kid