Waterville Library project doubles its useful space

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

Waterville has a new library space that patrons are already beginning to enjoy.
Library Director Heather Bente said about the project, "I am excited to share with everyone the new space, which doubles the size of the old library. The library board and I are anxious to meet the needs of community groups, and establish a space for the Senior Citizen group, which for many years was a mainstay in the community."
Through grants and donations the library was able to move from its former location to the newly renovated Waterville Town Hall just a few doors up on Main Street.
Bente explains how the project got off the ground. “Laura Olson from Allamakee County Economic Development and Waterville Mayor Dave Monserud applied for an Allamakee County Community Foundation grant. It was a match grant, which the city council voted to support. We were awarded $9,000 in April. Then Laura and Dave applied for the McElroy Trust and Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and an Alliant Energy grant and we were awarded $2,000, $4,650 and $1,500, respectively.”
She continues, “I applied for the Paint Iowa Beautiful grant, and we received that also. At this point we knew the project was feasible so we started working with Ashbacher Building Supplies on figures for renovating. In July we sent a large mailing and contacted the boards of ACE and Allamakee-Clayton REC. Their boards generously donated $2,500 and $850, respectively."
The mailings generated over $10,000 from local citizens, businesses and area banks. In total just over $40,000 was raised for the project.
When asked what the renovation project of the former town hall means to the community, Monserud said, "By providing a facility that will provide interaction among seniors, children, townspeople, and rural residents the library will benefit with expanded exposure and continue to grow."
H&L Construction began renovation of the historical building in July, and the project is just nearing completion. The old library will be used as new council chambers.
Bente, who holds a minor in interior design, says that keeping the historical aspects of the building were an important part of her design scheme. She says, "The building has been used for decades as a community gathering space for everything from Halloween parties, Santa Claus visits, dances, and movies to fundraising meals and meetings. I am excited for kids growing up in the community to love the 'town hall' as much as I did when I was a kid."
Contractors and individuals who helped with the actual project included H &L Construction, Ashbacher Building Supplies, West Side Lumber, Jill Boland, Dave Cota Electric, Light Source, Kris Krueger Plumbing, LC Signs & Graphics, Town & Country Sanitation, Floors Plus, Siebring Enterprises, Ace Communications Group, Luster Heights, and Yellow River Sawmill.
Volunteers from the community and library board included Marlys Leiran, Josh, Amanda and Will Howes, Jodi and Jackie Hilleshiem, Annette and Myah Davis, Rita Bente, Cindy Gibbs, Kendall and Mary Techau, Sharon Palmer, Kari Kelly, Russ Hagen, Kerri Gibbs and Amy Hagen.
Bente’s dad and lifelong Waterville resident Bill Hilleshiem donated many hours to the project. He built the circulation desk, children's benches, and two bookcases. He also hung all the trim and did the flooring in the kitchen, bathroom and main room. Bente includes, "...along with a million other little things, I couldn't have done it without Dad's help."
Bente explains about the new furnishings, "The library board and city council had envisioned the space as being adaptable for any group, so we needed to find a supplier of mobile bookcases. We discovered that an individual mobile bookcase ran upwards of $1,000. Luster Heights Correctional Facility was contacted about making bookcases, but at that time the future of the camp was in limbo. Fortunately, when state funding was renewed for the facility they happily agreed to work with us, and the Iowa DNR - Yellow River Sawmill generously donated wood for the bookcases and tables."
Heather says of the experience working with the camp, "Correctional Officer Alex Galema and his crew were always friendly and easy to communicate with. I enjoyed going out to see the projects when they were working on them because the guys were always proud to show me their work. I'm impressed by how well the camp is maintained.”
She adds, “The inmates who built the shelving did deliver the bookcases to the library, and I was glad they got to see their ‘creations’ in their new home.”

Right now the project is a little under-budget, but Bente says the library board plans on purchasing three new computers, an air conditioning unit, a Wall of Fame Donor Board, new carpeting for the back meeting room and tables for the senior meal site. If there are funds available after those expenses, Bente says they may consider getting an iPad or Kindle for patrons to use.
“The library board has many ideas for the new space, including meal site, community group meetings, card clubs, craft days, children's activities, trivia nights, technology classes, and bringing in performers and presenters. We will have sign-up sheets at the November 14 Grand Opening to determine which ideas we will try first,” Bente says.
The library collection of 5,000 books and DVDs was moved two weeks ago, and the library has already seen an increase in usage. Patrons are staying longer and the children are enjoying their new space; playing board games, puzzles and using the popular tepee.
The Waterville Library was organized in 1994 by a group of volunteers. The facility is currently open Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month.
Waterville Library's yearly operating budget is $10,000 and comes from the City of Waterville, Paint Creek Township, Allamakee County and Iowa Library Services. They always appreciate private donations as well.
The Waterville Library is a member of NEIBORS (North Eastern Iowa Bridge to Online Resource Sharing), which offers library patrons access to thousands of e-book fiction, e-book nonfiction, and audio books. To learn more go to www.waterville.lib.ia.us/.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the library is urged to contact the Waterville Library at director@waterville.lib.ia.us or by calling 563-535-7295.