Step-by-step Building Plans

January - February 2005:

February 28, 2005 Dimension IV kick-off meeting.

February 14, 2005 City Council unanimously approved contracting Dimension IV for conceptual design of new library.

February 7, 2005 Dimension IV unanimously approved as architectural firm for new library.

January 31, February 1 Interview architects.

November 2004: Sent out requests for information from eight architectural firms.

September 26, 2003: Purchased 2.2 acres at the NE corner of W 5th Avenue and 25th Street.

July 21, 2003: Brodhead Foundation presented the library with a check of $75,000 to be used to purchase property for new library.

June 10, 2003: Members of the Library Board, Building Committee, and Library Director toured three libraries: Mt. Horeb(16,000 sq. ft.) , Alicia Ashman Madison Branch(12,000 sq. ft.) and Marshall(9,000sq. ft.)

June 6, 2003: Entered Offer to Purchase contract with Richard Swanson for approx. 2.2 acres at the NE corner of W 5th Avenue and 25th Street.

May 12, 2003: Sent letter of request for funding to purchase property to the Brodhead Foundation.

Brodhead City Council passed resolution of support for the library building program, 6-0.

April 7, 2003: Building Committee met and discussed the building sites. After reviewing the options they voted to recommend the site at 25th Street. Met with the Brodhead Planning Commission to discuss the future of the library.

March 2003: Conducted Community survey on library service and what should be included in an improved library. Of the over 100 surveys asking if person supported improving the library there were only 3 negative answers--two of the negatives indicated that they supported improving the library only if it remained at its present location.

January 2003: Received evaluation of three sites (present location, City property located on 11th St., & property on 25th St.) from city engineer.

2002: Library Board voted to hire city engineer to evaluate three sites. At the next City Council meeting, Mark Dombkowski and Library Director, Gloria Rosa, gave the Council an update on building site selection and the need for engaging the service of the city engineer at the Library Board's expense. City Council agreed that it would be appropriate to have engineer investigate and evaluate these sites.

In October, an article was published in the Brodhead Independent Register seeking citizens that would be willing to serve on a Building Committee for the library. Yvonne Massen attended the October Library Board meeting and offered to help select a Building Committee. The Board agreed.

In November, the Building committee selections were submitted to Library Board. Committee members to include the following: Dawn Gurnee, Dee Kandl, Yvonne Massen, Steve McNeal, Doug Pinnow, Scott Priske, and Nancy Sutherland.

1999-2003: Begin looking for building sites. Members of the board began gathering information on five possible site in the downtown area. Because of clean-up costs or other major factors such as lack of parking, size, or unavailability, these sites were not included in final selection. Other properties were also investigated and evaluated from the Century Satellite building, property on County T, city-owned property on the race, etc. Finally, in 2002, the choices have been narrowed down to three--present location at 902 W 2nd Avenue, one acre located on 25th St., and one acre located on 21st St. behind McDonald's.

Library Endowment fund was approximately $32,600 at the beginning of 1999. Library Board designated this as the Library Building Fund. As of November 2002 the fund has reached in excess of $84,000. On-going efforts are being made to increase this fund.

1999: Strategic Long Range Plan, 1999-2001 was presented to library board members: Carol Badetscher, Ronald Ertner, Carol Maveus, Carol Pawlisch, Mike Searls, Mary Share, and Donald Witte for suggestions, corrections, and approval. Plan was completed and copies were given to Brodhead City Council members and Mayor.

In December, a list of twelve needs of the Brodhead Public Library was compiled. This included such items as high noise level, lack of electrical outlets, lack of storage space, unsafe working conditions, need for more shelving, tables, program area, etc.

1998: A planning team consisting of Jim & Marcia Caldwell, Darlyne Dillon, Ted and Gabrielle Douglas, Dan Markham, Linda McGinty, Donna Olson, Carol Pawlisch, Jon Plast, Brielle Schlittler, David Searles, Don Witte, and Gloria Rosa held a series of three meetings under the direction of Dr. Pat Lund to develop a strategic long range plan for the library.