Cottage Grove, Wis. - Dec 30, 2008

Two of the most common questions that one hears on the streets of Cottage Grove these days are Where is the public library? and, Will a community library be built in Cottage Grove? The answer to the first question is a quick one. Currently we do not have a permanent building in the community. The second answer is more involved. There is still strong interest in building a library in Cottage Grove. Several residents have told Library Board members that they still want a library in the community. Donations and pledges continue to come in.

 

So what is the current status? A great deal of planning has gone into the Cottage Grove Community Library because the Board and library supporters want to see a library that meets the needs of the community and is economically responsible. The current state of the economy and concerns in the community have provided a message to the Library Board that the timeline for building the library needed to be adjusted. As the building will not happen as soon as projected the budget was also readjusted. A portion of the Library Board budget was based on a projected construction date within the next two years. With the timeline pushed back, some of the expenses will not be incurred right now. Therefore the Board voted to return the allocated funds to the general village budget.

 

The Cottage Grove Community Library needs to serve all ages and provide services that meet the needs of the community. In difficult economic times, a library is the place that people can gather to make connections, learn something new, enjoy a good story, participate with their children in programs, and hold meetings. A community library is a great resource center for job searches providing employment databases, and computers for resume writing. Where else in the community can all this happen, and so much more, all at no cost to the patron? In fact library usage is up nationwide, as people turn to this valuable resource in their communities.

 

So in answer to the question, Yes, Cottage Grove, the library campaign will continue. The most important things are worth standing up for, working for, and making those visions, realities.