Saturday, July 18, 2009

Recession Not Holding Back Fort Atkinson's Library Expansion Effort

Link to July 18 Wisconsin State Journal article, "Fort Atkinson pushes to expand library ".

Excerpt: A down economy in Fort Atkinson means it’s time to expand the library.

The first expansion of the Dwight Foster Public Library came in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression.

In 1983, when interest rates were in double digits, the library doubled its space to 21,000 square feet.

And now, in the midst of another recession, the community has started to rally for a $5.5 million, 12,000-square-foot expansion project designed to provide more space and help the library adjust to the demands of technology.

More than $500,000 has been raised by selling naming rights to parts of the library, putting the fundraiser for the project one-third of the way toward its goal of $1.5 million.

The city has kicked in $2.5 million, while the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation has pledged $1.5 million.

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