Beloit Public Library launches Discovery Place early-learning center; state grant and local pledges drive capital campaign

The Beloit Public Library announced plans for Discovery Place, a 15,000-square-foot early-learning center and “mini city” inside the library aimed at children ages 0–6 and their caregivers. Director Nick Dimasas told the council the initiative is intended to boost early literacy and workforce readiness by giving families hands-on, research-driven learning opportunities.

Nick Dimasas said the library received a state construction grant of about $3.9 million to make room for Discovery Place, add six classrooms on the library’s second floor and provide telehealth rooms and other space for workforce development and adult education. “We did get a state grant — dollars 3,900,000,” he said. The project’s total cost is $4,150,000, Dimasas said; the library reported it has already raised $1,000,000 in private pledges and commitments and has additional commitments including $500,000 from Rock County and a private $250,000 pledge. The city has committed $50,000 per year toward operations.

Dimasas outlined the capital plan: roughly $150,000 to launch a capital campaign; about $2.5 million to build interactive exhibit stations; and $1.5 million to support five years of operations while the program proves its model. He emphasized that Discovery Place will be free to users and focused on family engagement: “It’s gotta be fun. The kids have to wanna say, I wanna go back there.” The project will include classrooms, a sensory room for differently-abled children, a resource room for teachers and parents, and evaluation partnerships with Beloit College/BELMARC Associates to measure early-learning outcomes over five years.

Scheduling noted by library staff calls for grant-funded construction to begin July 1 and for the Discovery Place exhibit installation to occur between February and June 2026, after which the space is expected to open to the public. Dimasas said the library is engaging a design firm (Lucy Creative) and has issued construction bids for a general contractor; the library plans a capital campaign led by the BPL Foundation and co-chairs Frank McKern and Stephanie Knoeple.

Councilors asked about making the space welcoming and encouraging repeat visits; Dimasas described outreach to schools, early-childhood partners, Spanish-language focus groups and programmatic efforts to make the space both culturally reflective and a repeat destination.

The council received the presentation; the item was an informational update and did not require a council vote.