The Rhinelander District Library (RDL) and the Rhinelander District Library Foundation are hosting a Ribbon Cutting to announce the Library’s Capital Campaign to renovate and expand the 120-year-old facility, and to unveil a model of the new facility.
The Ribbon Cutting will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:30 am. The public and media are invited to attend, view the model, and to learn more about the Capital Campaign.
“As the Rhinelander District Library 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 the Library will be able to continue to provide the multitude of services so many of us, our families, friends and neighbors rely upon,” said Virginia Roberts, Director of the Rhinelander District Library.
The Library was founded in 1897, and opened its doors on March 1, 1898, in the original Merchants State Bank building (now at the BMO Bank corner). The original Carnegie Library building was completed in 1904.
In 1983, the Friends of the Rhinelander District Library sponsored an advisory referendum to build a new facility. Public sentiment to preserve the historic building at its significant location and the desire to keep construction costs economical led to the decision to construct an addition, which was completed in 1985.
Updates to the building’s interior layout, the HVAC system, wiring, and general maintenance have continued, but the original 1904 building and the 1985 addition have remained unchanged all these years. |