Library Services to the Village of Sussex and Town of Lisbon: What a Long Strange Trip It's Been

Click on the "convoluted library history" link, found below, for details.

Pauline Haass Public Library celebrates 25 years of service

Library Board seeks Haass land from Lisbon. (Sussex Sun, 1/15/2013)

1969.  As specified in its will, the Pauline Haass estate donated 63 acres of land to the Town of Lisbon to establish and maintain a public library.

Subsequently, the Town of Lisbon has leased this farmland, the proceeds applied to the town's share of the debt service on the construction of a library in Sussex.  This arrangement provides approximately $13,000 in revenue on an annual basis.  Debt service payments amount to $100,000 per year.  (The Pauline Haass Public Library was formed as a joint library under Wisconsin state law (43.64).)

In what should serve to add another entertaining chapter to the area's convoluted library history, the Pauline Haase Library Board wishes to take control of this 63 acres of land. They have filed a legal notice and are prepared to go to court.

Related articles: 
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)