We are extremely pleased to announce that our W.J. Niederkorn Library has been selected as one of the recipients of the Flexible Facilities Program grant that we applied for through the Wisconsin Department of Administration! This grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act.
We have been awarded $1,093,348 to use toward partial renovations in our library for study rooms, space enhancements, and improved technology infrastructure – including improved internet access. Job and health resources will be highlighted as we as a community – both local and at large – share the goal of bouncing back after the coronavirus pandemic.
Much more info to come!
THANK YOU profusely for awarding these grant funds to our library, Gov. Evers and the DOA!
Press release available here: Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces $115 Million in Grants to 35 Local and Tribal Communities for New Construction and Renovations of Public Libraries and Community Centers (govdelivery.com)
Grant Info: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/FlexibleFacilities.aspx
FAQs (added 10/21/24):
Architect selected for our library remodeling (added 1/23/25): PRA – Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP
PRA Partner in Charge: Jason Puestow, AIA, NCARB
City of Port Washington staff contacts: Roger Strohm, City Engineer, and Tom Carson, Library Director
Conceptual designs (added 1/23/25), including the following projects:
- Updated Quiet Room (expand the current space of the Quiet Room, half of the new space will remain quiet study)
- Added computer lab (expand the current space of the Quiet Room, half of the new space will become the computer lab with sliding doors)
- Upper floor Circulation Desk will be scaled down and moved to the south wall
- Added study rooms and conference room in the northeast corner of the upper floor
- Remodeled and open concept kitchen in the lower level Community Room
Mark your calendars! Grant Info Session: Wed, Feb 19 @ 6pm. Library staff and architects will be sharing about the grant projects and conceptual designs. The general public is invited to attend.
Grant projects timeline coming soon! (The plan is to begin with the upper floor in the summer of 2025 and then shift to the lower level in the fall of 2025. This will allow the Community Room to be utilized during our busy Summer Reading Program months on the lower level)
Latest Interior Renderings (added 3/6/25):
Latest updates (added 5/5/25):
- Construction contract awarded through bid process to Duffek Construction (April 2025)
- Renovations on the upper level estimated to begin in mid-June 2025
- Display case rentals will end after May 2025. The wall space where the display case currently is will be utilized by the Friends’ booksale instead
- Renovations on the lower level estimated to begin in August 2025
- Community Room reservations will be on pause beginning in August 2025.
- More info coming soon!
Renovations to begin Mon, June 16 (added 5/16/25)
- We will remain OPEN as much as possible during the renovations. We’ll share more details and any short-term closure information as soon in advance as possible.
- Areas on the upper floor will start to shift around as we clear space for the renovation area
- Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this exciting time for our library!
Latest updates (posted 6/11/25):
- The upper level entrance may be closed intermittently the week of June 16 – June 20 while the construction crew is doing demolition of the quiet room/computer area. The lower level entrance will still be accessible.
- Our microfilm reader and microfilm will be inaccessible from June 12 – early Aug 2025.
- Our general curbside pickup of items will be unavailable from June 12 – early Aug 2025. If you have extenuating circumstances requiring curbside pickup, please contact us directly to see how we can best assist you.
- We anticipate our main stacks to be closed off in mid-July for approximately 1 week while new carpeting is installed on the upper floor.
- Our upper floor community jigsaw puzzle will be on hiatus this summer, beginning June 11, due to limited table space.
- Donation barrels for The Food Pantry and The Lions Club (eyeglasses, hearing aids, & cell phones) have been relocated to the lower level hallway for the time being.
- Cart with free items has been relocated to lower level hallway.
- Majority of shopping carts and walkers have been moved to the lower level hallway.
- More updates to come as the summer progresses. Thank you again for your flexibility and understanding.
Questions or comments? Please contact Library Director Tom Carson at tcarson@monarchlibraries.org or 262-284-5031.