Library Expansion Update 15 May 2025
TIMELINE
June 7, 2025: Final day of service at the Main Library
June 8–22, 2025: Main Library Closed for the move
June 9–20, 2025: Library services available at the Annex
June 23, 2025: New temporary library opens at 410 East Leffler Street
Late June 2025: Construction begins on our new library building
August 2026: Grand Opening of the brand-new library!
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
We’re moving to the former Armory located at 410 East Leffler Street (next to Dollar Tree). Our entrance will be in the back of the building – pull into the driveway and look for the signs!
CAN I USE THE LIBRARY DURING THE MOVE?
The Library Annex (301 North Iowa Street) will be open 9am-6pm Monday – Friday during the move. Here you can check out our new books, browse periodicals, use our computers, pick up holds, and more!
Children’s programs will still happen, even while we are closed! Throughout June and July, Children’s programs will be at Grace Lutheran Church (1105 N. Bequette St.) or Ley Memorial Pavilion (600 N. Bennett Rd.). The Bluey Bash program will be at the Ridgeway Community Center (208 Jarvis St., Ridgeway).
Please refer to our website event calendar for more information.
You can use Libby on your device during the move!
Library Expansion Update 4 February 2025
PRELIMINARY TIMELINE
CURRENT Design work is ongoing
MARCH 2025 Project will go out for bid to contractors
MAY 2025 Contractors will be selected
MAY 2025 Library will move to new City Hall (armory)
JUNE 2025 Construction starts
AUGUST 2026 Library moves back in!
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?
A $4.25 million grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration Flexible Facilities Program will provide most of the funding.
The City of Dodgeville will contribute $3.7 million to the project.
The Library Foundation will contribute $1 million to the project.
The Library Foundation and Friends is starting a fundraising campaign.
LIBRARY MOVE AND TEMPORARY LOCATION
We will operate the library in the “New City Hall” (the Armory – located at 401 Leffler Street) for about 15 months – approximately May 2025 to August 2026. We will continue operating the Annex during the relocation.
We plan to hold larger programs at alternate locations, such as Ley Memorial Pavilion.
HOW WILL THE LIBRARY CHANGE?
There will be an addition added to the front of the Library into the current parking lot. The current library building will be remodeled and we will occupy both floors.
The parking lot will be relocated to run between the Library and Kwik Trip. The traffic will travel in one direction – cars will enter on Iowa Street and exit on Union Street.
The new building will have more meeting rooms, computers, a business center, and more seating!
Library Expansion Update 21 October 2024
OVERVIEW
On October 15, 2024, the Dodgeville City Council approved a resolution to accept a $4.25 million grant and contribute $3.7 million to the Library expansion and renovation project. The Library has been working towards this expansion project for over ten years.
PRELIMINARY TIMELINE
OCTOBER 2024 Design work will start
FEBRUARY 2025 Project will go out for bid to contractors
APRIL 2025 Contractors will be selected
MAY 2025 Library & City Hall will move out – locations TBD
JUNE 2025 Construction starts
AUGUST 2026 The library moves back in!
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?
The Library was one of 35 organizations selected for a $4.25 million grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration Flexible Facilities Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act. One hundred entities applied for the grant and 35 were awarded a total of $115 million.
The Library Foundation will contribute $1 million to the project.
The City of Dodgeville will contribute $3.7 million to the project.
Our architect, HGA, estimates the cost of the new library will be $8.95 million.
The Library Foundation and Friends will also start a fundraising campaign before the end of the year.
LIBRARY MOVE AND TEMPORARY LOCATION
We will operate the library in a temporary location, or several locations, for about 15 months – approximately May 2025 to August 2026. We are working with the Library Board and the Mayor to identify locations. Please note – this part of our plan is still “under construction”!
We will continue operating the Annex during the relocation.
We plan to operate one or two other locations and likely hold larger programs at alternate locations during this time.
It is likely most of our collection will be housed at another location, and may be accessible only to staff pulling requested items.
Our intention is to continue to provide access to materials and technology for our patrons and to also meet our obligations to the other SWLS libraries.
We also intend to keep our staff employed. With multiple sites to operate, there will be lots of work to do!
HOW WILL THE LIBRARY CHANGE?
There will be an addition added to the front of the Library into the current parking lot. The current library building will be remodeled and we will occupy both floors.
The parking lot will be relocated to run between the Library and Kwik Trip. The traffic will travel in one direction – cars will enter on Iowa Street and exit on Union Street.
The new building will have more meeting rooms, computers, a business center, and more seating!
The library will expand from about 7,000 SF to about 20,000 SF. A 2014 space needs assessment by Library Planner, George Lawson found our library would need 21,000 SF by 2035. Another space need assessment by FEH Design in 2023 found we need just over 25,000 SF to include things like meeting rooms and seating.
WILL LIBRARY SERVICES CHANGE?
We will add several additional meeting and study rooms for public use – including telehealth, remote work, online meetings, and in-person group meetings.
We will add a business center with print/scan/fax capabilities, laptop access, and presentation equipment
