Capital campaign open day on Saturday

For the Star Journal

The Rhinelander District Library and the Rhinelander District Library Foundation will host a Capital Campaign Open House on Saturday, October 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library, 106 North Stevens Street, Rhinelander.

“Saturday’s event will provide information about the library’s renovation and expansion, including design renderings of the new facility,” said Kim Swisher, fundraising coordinator. “We invite everyone in the community to stop by and learn more about the campaign. This is an opportunity for the community to ask questions and see everything the library offers our community.”

The Rhinelander District Library, founded in 1897, has served our community for 127 years. The original Carnegie building is 120 years old. After the expansion completed in 1985, the library now covers approximately 15,000 square meters.

“As RDL celebrates its 127th year of service to our community, we reflect on the history of the library and how our services have grown to meet the needs of our community,” said Virginia Roberts, director of the Rhinelander District Library. “We also look forward to ensuring the library can continue to provide the variety of services that so many of us, our families, friends and neighbors rely on.”

Updates to the building’s structural support, interior layout, HVAC system, wiring and general maintenance continued – but the original 1904 building and 1985 addition remained otherwise unchanged. Today the library needs significant modernization and additional space.

In recent years, library users have expressed a need for an updated facility that provides safe and easy access to the building and restrooms, as well as additional space for work, study, and community meetings.

Library staff and the Board of Trustees heard the community’s wishes and began the renovation and expansion project so that the library can continue to meet the needs of our community. The renovation and expansion will add 7,650 square feet to the building and also address necessary maintenance issues.

The foundation began accepting donations in June and has raised about $750,000 so far.

Donations can be made securely online through the Foundation’s PayPal account at RDLFoundation.org. Checks can be mailed to the Foundation at PO Box 1225, Rhinelander, WI 54501.

Donations to the Capital Campaign will be used solely to fund this renovation and expansion.

The Rhinelander District Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax deductible under U.S. law.

About the Rhineland District Library

The Rhineland District Library serves as a hub in our community, bringing people together to celebrate, share, discover, learn, grow and entertain. The library promotes discovery and reading skills in children and adults. The goal is to create a warm, welcoming, comfortable and non-threatening environment for people and ideas to come together.

The library brings visitors and residents into the city center. Over the years the material has expanded greatly and now includes audio books, a library of things and much more. Services have grown to include literacy programs, home-based services for our senior residents, programs and activities that bring families and residents of all ages to the library, an extensive genealogy and local history department, a business center, and notary services.

Find out more about the Rhinelander District Library at

About the Rhinelander District Library Foundation

The Rhinelander District Library Foundation supports and recognizes our library’s facilities, services and programs. Our mission is to raise private donations for capital improvements and special programs not funded by the Library’s annual operating budget.

Find out more about the history of the library and the Rhinelander District Library Foundation at