Appleton Public Library named Wisconsin Library Association’s Library of the Year

The Appleton Public Library has been named Library of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association, the library’s director told the board during the trustees’ meeting.

The designation recognizes the library’s recent work, including the February 2025 opening of a new $40,000,000 facility, enabled by public funding and more than $12,000,000 in private donations, the director said. The press release cited the library’s ability to maintain service during two relocations during construction.

The library reported high use since reopening: more than 2,300 visitors on opening day despite a snowstorm, approximately 173,000 visits in five months, 299,283 checkouts, 6,548 new cardholders and more than 5,000 room and studio bookings, according to the director’s summary of the association’s release. Mayor Jacob Woodford and Council President Katie Van Zeland were quoted in the release praising staff and community support.

The director credited staff and community donors for the library’s performance and said the library will celebrate the award at the state conference awards ceremony and with an in-house event later in the winter.

Board members offered congratulations to library staff and volunteers for the recognition and milestone facility opening.