The History of Rhinelander District Library
Welcome!
As the Rhinelander District Library (RDL) celebrates its 127th year of service to our community, we are reflecting on the Library’s history and how its services have grown to meet our community’s needs.
We are also looking forward to ensure that the Library will be able to continue to provide the multitude of services so many of us, our families, friends, and neighbors rely upon.
The Library has a storied history that began in 1897 as a subscription library maintained by Reverend Joseph H. Chandler. The Chandler books, as well as those from a privately maintained reading room, formed the nucleus of Rhinelander's first free public library collection.
The Library opened its doors on March 1, 1898, in Room 10 of the original 1896 Merchants State Bank building (now at the BMO Bank corner). Miss Inez Van Tassel was appointed to act as the librarian, presiding initially over 600 volumes three days a week from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

From Our First Hundred Years: A History of Rhinelander by T.V. Olsen.
It was also at this time that 20 women formed the Rhinelander Woman’s Club. In February 1898, the second meeting of the organization featured an address on “Public Libraries as Centers of Public Good”.
Club members immediately began raising money for library books. In addition to supporting the Library on an annual basis, the Woman’s Club was a guiding presence during the building projects of 1903 and 1984 – and remains a major benefactor of our Library today.
By 1902, the Library’s quarters had become too small. An application was made to philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for funding to build a new library. He responded with the promise of $12,500, with the conditions the city appropriate a minimum of $1,250 in annual support and provide a site for the building.
To meet Mr. Carnegie’s conditions, the Brown Brothers Lumber Company donated land, and the Rhinelander City Council voted for an annual allowance of $1,500 for operating expenses. Once plans were completed and the bids were in, it became apparent that it would be impossible to keep within the appropriation without materially cheapening the building. Mr. Carnegie was asked to increase his gift to $15,000, but he refused. After a personal appeal by Congressman W.E. Brown, Mr. Carnegie agreed to the $2,500 increase.
The Library’s cornerstone was laid by the Rhinelander Masonic Lodge in September 1903. The formal dedication of the city’s first public building took place in November 1904.
The new building was described by the Rhinelander Herald as being “up-to-date, complete in its equipment, pleasing to the eye and attractive in every respect.”

Image Courtesy of Kris Adams Wendt.
Since 1904, very few structural changes have been made to the original Carnegie Library.
In 1935, the Children’s collection was moved from the main floor to the Rhinelander Woman’s Club meeting room downstairs.
In 1972, a storeroom was remodeled to accommodate smaller programs and meetings. Over time, the Adult Department bookshelves eventually obscured the windows and fireplaces, growing to nine feet high around the outer walls.
This necessitated the installation of extra supports in the basement to bear the weight. Subsequently, the lower level has seen a succession of electrical, plumbing, and heating updates that now line the ceilings with pipes and conduits.
Library services expanded in 1962 with the advent of the Regional Reference Service. Services expanded again in 1972, when Oneida County joined the Wisconsin Valley Library Service, a 10-county cooperative library system providing enhanced access to inter-library loans.
The Rhinelander Area Joint Library District was formed in 1982 by the City of Rhinelander and the Townships of Crescent, Newbold, Pelican, and Pine Lake to provide more equitably funded services to the greater Rhinelander area.
That same year, the Friends of the Rhinelander District Library began the “Pete the Penny” fundraising campaign to call attention to the need for a larger building.
The Friends of the Rhinelander District Library sponsored an advisory referendum that passed on April 5, 1983. This directed the Library’s Board of Trustees to plan a new facility financed with funds obtained through property taxes. Public sentiment to preserve the historic building at its significant location, as well as the desire to keep construction costs at an economical level, led to the decision to construct an addition to the existing Library.
Noble Rose from Rose/Orr Architects in Beloit was hired to prepare drawings and a building plan for a $1 million project. The City of Rhinelander, the four municipalities in the District, a federal grant, and the Friends of the Library fundraising campaign each contributed 25% of the cost.
Renovations and the construction of the addition began May 8, 1984, and were completed 11 months later. The Library has occupied approximately 15,000 square feet since the addition.
Updates to the building’s interior layout, the HVAC system, wiring, and general maintenance have continued, but the original building and the 1985 addition has remained unchanged all these years.
Thanks to fundraising by the Rhinelander District Library Foundation, the Library began the 21st century with an updated circulation system, digitized resources, inter-library loan information retrieval and delivery, public internet access stations, and a wireless network.
Over the years, the Library’s materials have greatly expanded to meet the needs of our community to include audio books, DVDs, music CDs, and much more. Services have grown to include an extensive genealogy and local history section, a business center, and Notary services.
The Library has also met public demand for additional programs and activities. Curbside pickup was added during the pandemic, and continues today.
In 1903, 18,089 circulations were made to 1,072 cardholders from a collection of 2,500 items. In 1984, 140,724 items were circulated to 7,579 cardholders, from a collection of 58,435 items.
In 2023, 123,080 circulations were made to 10,522 cardholders from a collection of 81,570 items. Digital e-books and e-audio books experienced increased interest during the pandemic, and remains popular with 32,569 circulations. Staff welcomed 64,158 visits to the Library, which is an increase of 11% from 2022.
Children’s Programming proved to be more popular than ever, welcoming 5,754 participants to 322 activities. In addition, 1,476 families enjoyed Take and Make bundles and other enrichment activities.
Young Adult’s Programming welcomed 312 participants to 29 programs.
Adult and General Programming engaged 4,010 participants in 114 programs. Senior Outreach had 549 interactions, and provided 1,169 materials to homebound individuals. There were 720 Take and Make creative kits distributed.
For the Library to continue the numerous services provided to area residents of all ages
in our community, the facility must be renovated and expanded to accommodate current and future services.

A view from Stevens Street, looking to the East.
Design Concept Courtesy of O'Kroley 646 Design LLC.
Community surveys and interviews were held by the Library’s Board of Trustees and staff, and a needs assessment was conducted by J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. in Wausau, the Library’s construction manager. This resulted in plans for a $7 million renovation and expansion.
The renovation and expansion will add 7,650 square feet to the building, and will include replacing the existing elevator, adding and enhancing community meeting spaces, adding work and study spaces, improvements and expanded space for the Children’s area, and updating staff work areas.
While the expansion will reduce the number of parking spaces in the current parking lot on the north side of the building, the Library plans to add parking to the east side of the building, and hopes to sell and move the home that is currently the Re-Tale Store.
The Carnegie building and the 1985 addition will receive critical updates including adding restrooms on the main level and long-needed building maintenance including replacing leaking windows. The new entrances will be safer and more accessible, meeting the current Americans with Disability Act standards.
Outdoor spaces will be improved, and include a perennial garden. The walk-up and drive-up book drops will be more easily accessible.
The Library will continue to operate in its efficient and economical manner, maintaining daily operations and community services for 55 hours per week throughout the year.
To continue providing vital services to our community, the Library needs your support!
The Rhinelander District Library Foundation is leading a capital campaign to raise funds for the renovation and expansion. The Foundation and the Library are pursuing grant funds; however, funding for capital projects is limited, and entities typically judge a project’s feasibility by the monetary support shown at the local level.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law. Your donation will only be used to fund this renovation and expansion.
The Library’s operational expenses will continue to be managed by the Library’s Board of Trustees and staff through its annual budget.
Donations of any amount will help us reach our goal of $7 million.
The Foundation is creating a new PayPal account so that you may safely and securely donate online. This option will be available shortly on our website.
You may mail your contribution to the RDL Foundation
at PO Box 1225, Rhinelander, WI 54501.
Our Library has served the community in countless ways for 127 years.
Citizens have consistently supported the Library’s resources and programs, as they truly make a difference in area resident’s lives.
Image Courtesy of Kris Adams Wendt.
The Library remains highly relevant to area residents for many reasons.
The Library provides free access to a multitude of items beyond books. The Library offers programming and activities for residents of all ages. The Library offers free technology. The Library facilitates community gatherings for all ages. The Library promotes literacy, curiosity, and exploration. The Library preserves local history – and so much more!

Rhinelander District Library - 2023
Over the past several years, many Library patrons have shared the need for an updated facility that provides safe and easy access to the building and restrooms, and additional space for work, study and community meetings. This renovation and expansion will allow the Library to continue to meet the needs of our community.
Please support and preserve our Library’s legacy for today – and the future.