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Niederkorn Library board outlines remodel plans; mayor proclaims National Library Week
Summary
The library board summarized a partial remodel funded in part by a flexible facilities grant; the mayor read a proclamation declaring National Library Week. Staff said the grant covers about 35% of the building work and gave a preliminary construction timeline; service disruption details are not yet finalized.
Tom Carson, head librarian at the W. J. Niederkorn Library, presented the library board’s charter, recent grants and a status update on a planned remodeling project to the Port Washington Common Council on April 7. The mayor read a proclamation declaring National Library Week in Port Washington.
Carson told the council the board has nine members and oversees library operations under chapter 43 of the Wisconsin statutes, which guides public library governance in the state. He said the library has more than 6,000 cardholders, about 85,000 visits last year and that circulation has shifted modestly toward digital formats — physical checkouts were down roughly 4% while digital checkouts rose about 6%.
On the building project, Carson said a recently awarded flexible facilities grant covers about 35% of the planned work. Planned changes include a “kitchenette” in the community room (not a commercial kitchen), new carpeting and lighting, converting the main-level quiet room into a computer lab and two study rooms, additional power outlets throughout the main level, a smaller checkout desk, a new children’s desk and a children’s restroom in the children’s area.
Carson said asbestos removal in the former kitchen begins April 15 and that major reconstruction work is expected to start between June 1 and June 15. When asked about service disruptions, Carson said the schedule had not yet been finalized and that impacts will depend on the contractor’s phasing and the grant administrator’s approvals.
The mayor read a proclamation recognizing National Library Week and commending the library staff and board. The council did not take a formal vote on the proclamation; the mayor presented it as part of mayoral business.
Carson also noted a separate $3,000 grant that will fund a teen internship program. The mayor and city staff thanked the library board for grant writing and community outreach.
Timeline and next steps: asbestos abatement beginning April 15; reconstruction planned to begin June 1–15; staff to publish service disruption details when the contractor schedule is finalized.
