Cottage Grove, Wis. - Oct 26, 2008

Now more than ever, Cottage Grove needs to plan carefully for its future. Our citizens need to define what they want their community to be. Will it be a sustainable place that offers the kind of services that make us proud to call Cottage Grove home? Will it be a community that encourages businesses and families to locate here and young people to stay? Will it be a community that provides a public place for people to meet and learn? Cottage Grove can be all of these things and more, and a community library is an essential part of that future.

 

Cottage Grove has a long history of working towards a public library. The idea was first proposed back in the 1970s. In 1998 the Friends of the Library was formed and then in 2004 the Village Board appointed the Ad Hoc Library Committee. A survey was conducted, and 97% of the respondents said a library is important to the future of Cottage Grove. The Village Board approved an operating budget and adopted a library board ordinance creating the Cottage Grove Community Library Board, which operates under Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

 

The Facilities Committee began a comprehensive site-selection process. Several criteria were considered, including proximity to existing or future neighborhoods, bike paths, current and future local business locations, and major traffic routes. It also was deemed important that the site be large enough for a library to serve community needs for 50 to 100 years.  

 

The committee reviewed 30 sites and eight existing buildings before reaching a decision. It was determined that prospective “free” land was not practical, and in some cases might have long-term negative consequences for the Village, the environment or local residents. The selected site, next to Glacial Drumlin School, was deemed to meet the selection guidelines, was priced reasonably, and was large enough to accommodate future growth.

 

Comparisons have been made to the size and cost of other area libraries. Guided by extensive research and with the support of expert consultants, the Library Board has made every effort to develop a realistic library plan that will serve the needs of the Cottage Grove community. Recommendations for square footage, library staffing, collection size, and open hours are based on population and State and County standards.

 

A community library is a good value at any time. In a tough economic climate, more people turn to their local library for job searches and resume writing, research advice, community news, technology access, or the opportunity to borrow instead of buy a book, movie or audio CD. A hometown library is a safe place for young people to gather, participate in programs, and study. National research has shown a strong correlation between higher student achievement and access to reading resources. A recent Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction study by NorthStar Economics Inc. states that for every dollar a community puts into a library, $4.06 is returned in the form of services and resources.

 

On Nov. 4th Cottage Grove citizens have the opportunity to decide what the future of their community will be. Will it be a place where neighbors can learn, explore and grow together close to home? The Cottage Grove Community Library can provide all these opportunities and more.

 

 

The Cottage Grove Community Library Board Trustees: Kathy Zanella-Albright, Ann Braun, Gary Ferron, Linda Fonger, Amy Roberts, Larry Schoenemann, Diane Wiedenbeck