Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces
Upcoming Webinar!
New Libraries, Shared Spaces: Developing Mixed-Use Library Facilities
Thursday, May 28, 2 – 3 pm
A resource for Wisconsin public library directors, staff and trustees about library building and renovation projects.
Find on-demand webinars and resources from professionals across the state, as well as a list of recently completed projects from Wisconsin libraries.
Topics include renovation, space reconfiguration, new building projects, and more.
Find videos and resources in each tab below
Accessible and Inclusive Spaces
Part 1: ADA Physical Accessibility Requirements
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Description: Learn how libraries can make their physical buildings and spaces more accessible for people of all abilities, following the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Recorded: June 5, 2023
Presenter: Robin Jones, Great Lakes ADA Center
Recording Length: 54:11 minutes
Slides
Part 2: Tools for Making Your Library Space Welcoming and Accessible
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Description: Practical tips and tools that can help you make your public library spaces more accessible for people of all abilties.
Recorded: June 7, 2023
Presenters: Leah Langby, IFLS and Angela Meyers, Bridges Library System
Recording Length: 42:34 minutes
Slides
Resources: Facility Related ADA/Accessibility
Wisconsin
- Inclusive Services in WI Libraries – Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction
- Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide for Wisconsin Public Libraries
- Local Center for Independent Living (CIL) – WI Dept. of Health Services
Other
- Great Lakes ADA Center
- ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities – New England ADA Center
- ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.gov)
- ADA Technical Assistance program – US Dept. of Justice
- Guide to the ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) Accessibility Standards – US Access Board
- Webinar: Welcoming All: Inclusivity in Library Spaces from Niche Academy
What to Expect When Working with an Architect
Part 1: Working with an Architect
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Description: Get tips for finding and selection an architect that will be a good fit for your library building project. Learn what you can expect from an architect.
Recorded: June 8, 2023
Presenter: Valentine Schute, Jr., River Architects
Recording Length: 43:50 minutes
Slides
Part 2: Community Engagement During Design
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Description: Provides an overview of when and how an architect can help libraries engage the community in conversations about what the new library space will look like, what the community would like to see in their new library, and how it might function to meet the community’s needs.
Recorded: June 14, 2023
Presenter: Traci Lesneski, MSR Design
Recording Length: 31:40 minutes
Slides
Part 3: What Might the Process Look Like
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Description: Architects Christy Monk and Gregg Baum, FEH Design, walk you through the process from beginning to end.
Recorded: May 24, 2023
Presenters: Christy Monk and Gregg Baum, FEH Design
Recording Length: 37:32 minutes
Slides
Resources: Architects & Consultants
Consultants Directories (directories are not comprehensive)
- Consultants for Libraries – Community Directory
- Facilities Building Planning – ALA Core Library Consultants Directory - Facilities Building Planning
- Library Consultants Directory – The Library Consultants Directory
Working with Architects & Directories
Building Maintenance
Building Maintenance Basics
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Description: Jeff Curwick, Maintenance Manager at Waunakee (WI) Public Library covers some basic safety and simple repairs related to public buildings that will help you maintain your library building and help make it safe for staff and public use.
Recorded: June 6, 2023
Presenter: Jeff Curwick, Waunakee (WI) Public Library
Recording Length: 42:21 minutes
Slides
Resources: Building Maintenance & Management
Wisconsin
- Library Building and Grounds Survey (Word Document) – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Sample Annual Building Inspection Checklist (Word Document) – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Sample Capital Improvement Plan (Excel) – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Sample Library Facility Memorandum of Understanding MOU (Word Document) – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Sample Library Maintenance Schedule (Word Document) – Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Other
- Maintenance Checklist for Public Libraries (PDF Document) – Central Kansas Library System
- Maintenance Checklist for Public Libraries (PDF Document) – Mid-Hudson (NY) Library System
Ways to communicate about your project to your stakeholders
Need an Architect
If you are looking for funding and permission to hire an architect for your building project, use these:
Have an Architect
If you have already secured an architect or design firm and need permission to move forward with a proposed building plan, use these:
Funding
Budgeting and Planning for Capital Costs
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Description: Brittany Larson, Director of Muskego (WI) Public Library, and John Thompson, Director of IFLS Library System (located in Eau Claire, WI), show how you can plan for library building maintenance, repairs, renovation and new building projects.
Recorded: June 12, 2023
Presenters: Brittany Larson, Muskego (WI) Public Library and John Thompson, IFLS Library System
Recording Length: 51:28 minutes
Slides
Resources: Funding and Grants
Wisconsin
- CDBG – Public Facilities Program (PF) – Wisconsin
- Community Facilities Direct Loan Grant Program in Wisconsin – USDA
- Consultant Directory - AFP Southeastern Wisconsin – Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin
- CharityEZ – Tools for fundraisers
- Wisconsin Grants and Foundations – FundsNet
Other
- AFP Directories and AFP Chapters – Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
- Available Grants – Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- Awards, Grants, Scholarships – American Library Association (ALA)
- Fundraising Consultants and Resource Directory – Multiview
Old, Existing, and Historic Buildings
Valuing Old, Existing and Historic Library Buildings
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Description: Panelists present considerations for preserving the historic value of a community’s public library building when working on renovation and expansion projects. Slides and other information can be found on the Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces page.
Recorded: June 19, 2023
Presenters: Valentine Schulte, River Architects (La Crosse, WI); Jessica Bergin, Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library in Baraboo (WI); and Emily Kornak, Lake Geneva (WI) Public Library
Recording Length: 49:17 minutes
Slides
Resources: Historic Buildings
Wisconsin
- Preserving Your Historic Building's Character – Wisconsin Historical Society
- Renovating Your Historic Building's Interior – Wisconsin Historical Society
- Photo Gallery of Historic Building Remodels
Other
- The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties – US National Park Service
WI Library Moving Companies
(Note: List is not comprehensive and does not serve as an endorsement.)
Working with a Multi-Use Building
Mixed Use Buildings
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Description: Library Service Managers talk about libraries in mixed-use buildings–what that means, what it is like to have a community library located in a shared building, the opportunities, challenges, considerations, the planning process, what it is like to manage this type of library, and what they learned.
Recorded: July 19, 2023
Presenters: Amanda Burns McGillivray, Milwaukee Public Library – Villard Square Branch and Amelia Osterud, Milwaukee Public Library – Good Hope Branch
Recording Length: 34:40 minutes
Slides
Shared Spaces
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Description: Two directors talk about their journeys of moving into shared space with their local municipalities. One move was planned, the other was not. They include examples of how the space changed, pro’s and con’s about the process, and what they learned along the way.
Recorded: December 13, 2024
Presenters: Anne Miller, Wilberg Memorial Public Library of Osceola and Heather Wiarda, Amery Area Public Library
Recording Length: 1:10:18
Slides
A Library Building and Space Guidebook
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Description: John Thompson takes you through a planning guidebook he created that gives you an overview of the planning process that can help you get started on your library’s building or renovation project.
Recorded: June 2023
Presenter: John Thompson, IFLS Library System Director
Recording Length: 48:47 minutes
Slides
Description: An introduction to the revised Space Planning Outline, including more information on the relevance and limitations of the Outline as a planning tool for Wisconsin public libraries.
Recorded: October 2025
Presenter: John Thompson, IFLS Library System Director, Deb Haeffner, Building and Design Consultant with South Central Library System, & Teresa Schmidt, DPI Public Library Administration Consultant.
Recording Length: 57:30 minutes
Slides
CE Activity Report
Architectural Firms Resource List
Grants for Local Projects
Resources: Planning & Construction
Wisconsin
- Employment Listing & For Sale / Wanted Ads – League of Wisconsin Municipalities (for posting consultant RFQ/RFP)
(Note: Ask your municipality where they post an RFQ) - New Construction & Renovations (WI) – Focus on Energy
- Planning and Evaluation – Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction
- Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline - Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (Updated June 2025)
- VendorNet – WI Dept. of Administration (to post an RPQ or RFP)
Other
- Buildings & Facilities – ALA eLearning
- Facilities – Public Library Association (PLA)
- Library Equipment & Facilities Management – American Library Association (ALA) Resource Guides
- Library Building & Space Planning Guidebook: What the $@!! Am I Getting Myself Into? – John Thompson, JT Library Planning, 2022. (Free)
- Library Space: A Planning Resource for Librarians – Massachusetts Libraries
- Library Space Planning - Connecticut State Library – Division of Library Development
- Planning for the Future – Delaware Libraries
- Space Planning – WebJunction
- Whole Building Design Guide - Library – National Institute of Building Sciences
Southwest Wisconsin Library System’s Space Planning for Small Libraries Webinar Series 2022 (recordings)
Project Management of Building and Renovation Projects
Project Management Lifecycle: Building Projects
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Description: A walk through the six stages of project management that can help you plan and keep track of your building and renovation projects.
Recorded: June 6, 2023
Presenter: Brittany Larson, Muskego (WI) Public Library
Recording Length: 56:04 minutes
Slides
Resources: Project Management
- Facilities and Project Management for Libraries (webinar recording) – Vermont Department of Libraries, April 23, 2024.
Focus on Energy - Contact a Focus on Energy Advisor to conduct a free assessment of your building. Energy Advisors can help you find cost-saving measures and inform you about rebates that could impact your building maintenance decisions.
Solar Libraries - Interested in using solar energy? Contact these libraries in the Winding Rivers Library Systm for more information.
Wisconsin Public Library Facility Assessment
Public Library Facilities Assessment
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Description: Results from the Wisconsin Public Library Facilities Assessment are covered as well as some next steps.
Presenter: Christy Monk and Bill Wilson, FEH Design
Recording Length: 1:00:17 minutes
Slides
Resources:
- Wisconsin Public Library Facilities Assessment Booklet – Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Recent Library Building Projects
- Wisconsin Public Library Building Projects List
Find information and photos about recent Wisconsin public library building projects reported in December 2024 and June 2023.
Funding for this statewide project was provided from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Sponsors include the Wisconsin Public Library Systems and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
