Fall Creek Public Library Nears Fundraising Goal for New Building

The Fall Creek Public Library and Village Center Project is nearing its fundraising goal thanks to grants for its Beyond Words campaign.

According to a press release, the Pablo Foundation will award $30,000 in grant funding to the project, which library officials describe as a long-term investment in education, community connection, and civic pride. The project also recently received a $250,000 grant from the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation.

The project seeks to build a larger and more modern multi-use facility as the new home for the library and the Village Center. Library officials say their current facility lacks the space needed to accommodate nearly 1,000 cardholders and the recommended number of books. It also doesn’t meet ADA standards for residents with disabilities and the restrooms are located outside of the building, limiting its accessibility.

The project was originally estimated to cost around $8 million, over half of which was covered by Flexible Facilities Grant funding from the state. The D.R. Moon Memorial Public Library in Stanley also received over $4 million in funding through the Flexible Facilities Grant Program for a renovation and expansion project. Additionally, the Village of Cadott received about $3.7 million through the program to build an entirely new library off Highway 27 nearly triple the size of their previous facility.

According to the Fall Creek Public Library’s website, the fundraising campaign has brought in over 90 percent of the funding needed and construction work is already well underway. The current library building on E. Lincoln Avenue has also been listed for sale as work on the new site continues.