Public Library of the Year

McMillan Memorial Library

Since the opening of its current facility in 1970, McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids has become a model for public libraries seeking to provide a community center atmosphere as well as traditional library services.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Board of Trustees and library directors Ray Hernandez and Bill Wilson developed the community center tradition through the use of the Library’s 265-seat Fine Arts Center, all-purpose room, display areas, and Endowment Fund. The Fine Arts Center housed the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre for the first 30 years of its existence. In 1996 the library was honored for a 30-year tradition of hosting more Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibitions than any other Wisconsin institution.

During the past two decades, Board and staff members have continued the important work of promoting the social dimension of public library service. McCabe’s book “Civic Librarianship: Renewing the Social Mission of the Public Library” and Assistant Director Andy Barnett’s book “Libraries, Community, and Technology” contributed to the literature on this subject.

A major reorganization of the Library’s facility, services, and staffing from 2003 through today has improved services while reducing costs. This included remodeling projects in 2005 and 2007, which were funded primarily by the Library’s Endowment Fund and private grants, and a difficult reduction of six full-time equivalent support staff positions through attrition. The reorganization effort included consolidating service desks and remodeling the library’s upper lobby; maximizing the use of self-check machines for the loan of materials; making extensive use of bookstore-style shelving; adding a new fountain and electronic exterior sign; replacing nearly all of the interior signage; adding eight new computer workstations; developing a 5,000-square-foot Library Commons with a high-quality coffeehouse; improving lighting, sound, and projection equipment in the Fine Arts Center; and cross-training the remaining staff members for scheduling flexibility. The success of this reorganization is described in a May/June 2007 article in “Public Libraries.”

During the past year, all of the work done by McMillan’s Board of Trustees and staff has been rewarded with an extremely strong response from the community. The loan of materials increased 17% from 2007 to 2008, and continues to rise in 2009. And attendance at library-sponsored programs increased 39% from 2007 to 2008 and also continues to rise.

According to Director Ron McCabe, “We understand that the current recession has contributed to public demand for library services. We also understand that the choices the Board and staff have made in recent years have allowed our library to powerfully respond to the urgent public needs of this new era. We feel that the improvements in our facilities and services have made McMillan Library a vibrant community center, and an exceptional resource for traditional library services.”

Page created 10/09.
Page updated 10/09.