The History of the Elkhart Lake Library
1906-2006
The first free public library in Elkhart Lake started in 1906 when the Village Board passed the following resolution:
Where-as a public library would promote the best interests of our village, in that it would be a factor in advancing the educational standards of our community.
And, where-as many other villages of equal size at present maintain free public libraries, and thus receive special state aid for so doing.
And, where-as Elkhart Lake is yearly losing the advantage of receiving the benefit of 200 books free, by not maintaining a library.
Be it hereby resolved – that we organize a free public library, for the Village of Elkhart Lake, according to the laws of the state.
O.P. Schueksky, 1906
In 1906, the library was located in the Queen Anne Hotel on the curve of Rhine and North Lake Street. George Gerhard was the first librarian along with his daughter Ida (Raeder). Betty Lou Lanser said her grandfather, George, was involved in many business ventures – managing a library was a nice way to visit with community residents.
According to the first annual report, obtained from Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library, the first Library Board members were G.W. Wolff, W.P. Schwartz, P.P. Brickbauer, J.E. Kennedy, George Gerhard and T.C. Sharpe. The library was open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays 8:00am-12pm & 1-5:30pm. There were “73 registered borrowers and 500 items to borrow.” The library collected $104 from donations to purchase books.
Traveling books were added to the library in 1907. The books would arrive in a wooden box, from Madison, ready for checkouts. The 200 books from the old library association, part of the original resolution from 1906, arrived. Magazines & newspapers were added to the collection in 1908.
It is rumored that the library was housed in private homes for many years. One of the known homes for the library was an apartment building on S. East Street called the Ruhlaben. Early librarians included H.C. Dornbush, Margaret Wittkopp, Ida Raeder and Elsie Luchterhand. Early assistants included Adelia Schwartz & Alice Bastian.
The contributions to the library from the Elkhart Lake Study Club are great. For the past 75 years Study Club members have sponsored the library through donations of time to act as volunteer librarians, and made yearly contributions through book drives, fund raising events and cash donations.
In 1927 the Study Club formed the Elkhart Lake Library Club with $17.44 donated by the disbanded Elkhart Lake High School Alumni Association. They used this money to purchase books and loan a room from Elkhart Lake Sand & Gravel above the Elkhart Lake Bank, (the old National Exchange Bank). Louis LaBudde (great grandfather of Charlene Haas and Sandra Bruns) donated one dollar to check out the first book from this location.
A book project was started with $2 per year dues from the club’s 48 members. This was used to purchase new items. Study Club members volunteered to manage and staff the library two hours every Wednesday and Saturday night. Records indicate that Lorraine Klotz and Burdie Mauer (Grashorn) were some of the librarians.
On February 3, 1930, minutes of the Village of the Elkhart Lake indicate, “representatives from the Study Club appeared at the meeting to ask the village to organize a Public Library to be conducted by the Study Club and appealed to the Board for an appropriation of $100 for the purpose of creating a public library.” A motion was made and approved to appropriate $100. The Study Club donated $25.
In March 1931, the Village purchased the former Brieske Building, (Presently the First Responders Building), for $800 to house the library. The Study Club, with help from the Civic Association, voted to remodel, redecorate and furnish the library in the colonial style. Village residents donated furnishing. The library committee consisted of Mrs. Lester Laun, Mrs. Cliff Tufte, Mrs. Ed Herriges, Mrs. E.H. Hikkick, Mrs. Ray Lauer, Mrs. Arthur Menne, Mrs. Joe Seuer and Miss Loraine Klotz.
The first report of library operations, by the Elkhart Lake Study Club, stated 2,700 books were lent including traveling books. 239 library cards were issued and the library had 388 books.
In 1940, the Club adopted the motto, “Few and Better Books.” The Study Club paid the librarian fifty cents a night for her services. The Study Club also had a book character pageant to benefit the sponsorship of Saturday story time. The Village paid $600 a year for expenses such as electricity and maintenance.
In 1950, the Study Club donated $100 a year to the library for purchases and paying the staff. The library continued to receive book donations from the public. Margaret Busse worked as a student page while in High School. Mrs. George Blanke was one of the librarians.
In 1964, Congress passed the Wisconsin Free Library Association. This provided the library grant money to purchase materials. Members of the Study Club Library Committee consisted of Mavis Lauer, Gertrude Laun, Mildred Leverenz, Ruth Arpke, Mrs. Warde, and Claire Turck. Lorraine Klotz served as Librarian.
Edna Giebler served the library during the 1970s. The Library offered story-time and continued to receive books from the Study Club and local residents. Every corner of the library was overflowing with books.
The Elkhart Lake Public Library joined the county-wide Federated Library System in 1979. This move prompted the Village of Elkhart Lake to pass Ordinance 255, based on Wisconsin Statute 43, which put the library under the control of the village. From 1930-1979, the Study Club operated the library. Wisconsin Statute 43 put the governance of the library under control of a library board appointed by the Village President.
The lower level of the Grashorn Memorial Civic Center became the new home of the library in 1980. The Center was not to house the library; but interested people thought the lower level would serve well as a library. Hattie Luchterhand gave $4,000 to the library furnishings. The library was open Tuesday and Thursday from 3-9pm and Saturday 9:30-Noon.
The first certified librarian, Marion Heiden, was hired in 1980. The library motto “We are small in size but large on service” was adopted. The library had 5,000 books when they moved into the Civic Center. Bookmobile service also increased the availability of the library. Mavis Lauer was recognized for serving 50 years on the Study Club Library Committee and the Library Board in 1982.
In 1987, the Elkhart Library joined the Eastern Shores Library System. Through cooperation between Ozaukee and Sheboygan County libraries, residents reciprocal borrowing at any member library, Interlibrary Loan, automation, including high speed internet access, and 5-day a week delivery of items.
Automation of library operations started in 1989 with a grant from the State of Wisconsin. Library records were converted to electronic format so items could be made available for loan to other Wisconsin Libraries. A local foundation donated money, in 1999, for automation of library circulation.
Ruth Schmidt was instrumental in starting the Friends of the Library for the library. The first meeting was held on November 14, 1996. Ruth Schmidt was elected president, Abbie Willits- Vice President, Janice Wall- Secretary, Betty Nelsen-Treasurer and Nancy Growth member at large.
The purpose of the Friends of the Library was to be a “Friend to the Community” by building awareness of library activities and programs and to support its facilities and volunteer events.
Currently, the Friends of the Elkhart Lake Library fundraisers include a Book Drop Cookie Sale for the Fourth of July Parade, Book Sale at the end of July, and the Lights of Love campaign in December. Friend of the Library help with library events, deliver books to home-bound patrons, sponsor “Adopt a Shelf” where volunteers keep library shelves orderly and provide an annual stipend to the Library for special projects and materials not covered by the library budget.
Library Barb Stebnitz, with assistants Harriett Nelson and Anne Hatas, realized space problems in the 1990’s. The library was adding over 600 books per year. New Collections (such as videos, audio books and technology) also added to space concerns.
“Ease the Squeeze- Help the Elkhart Lake Library Grow” was the theme of a fundraising campaign to raiser $100,000 to double he size of the library held in 1998. Major fundraisers for “Ease the Squeeze” campaign included: an “Expansion” buffet held at Siebkens, a St. Pat’s Party at Bruce’s, Fund Raising Cocktail Party at the Osthoff, Packer Ticket raffle, and local community support through “Wall of Giving” sponsorship. Contributors names were permanently placed in the library for recognition. The campaign far exceeded its goal thanks to community support of the library. JoAnn Dent served as librarian and took on a large role in the building renovation.
In 2001, the libraries in Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties, the Bookmobile and Lakeland College converted their catalogs into one shared catalog called EasiCat. By using the internet in the library, from home, school or work you can still order materials from any of the participating libraries, and have them sent to your home library. There are over 1 million items available to Elkhart Lake library patrons through EasiCat.
Currently, the Elkhart Lake Public Library owns: 16,450 books, 49 magazine titles, 2,160 videos, 460 audio books, 60 CD-ROMs, and a newly created music collection.
In 2005 patrons checked out 28,758 items and made 15,600 visits. The library serves the Village of Elkhart Lake and Glenbeulah, Towns of Greenbush, Herman, Plymouth, Rhine, Russell and residents of Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties through cooperative agreements with the Eastern Shores Library System.
The Library has special collections in Parenting, Girl & Boy Scout manuals, Large Print Books, Multi-Cultural materials, Descriptive videos and offers a Trading Post book collection for vacationers. High Speed Internet access is available. The Library offers Pre-School storytime and Summer Reading programs. Volunteer opportunities are available through the Friends of the Library.
The Elkhart Lake Study Club has supported the library for over 75 years through volunteer and financial support. They will be recognized in our newly created “Elkhart Lake Study Club Children’s Corner.”
From the “Elkhart Lake Public Library: Celebrating 100 years, 1906-2006”
