Anticipation is in the air as the Whitewater Public Library’s renovations head into its final phases, reintroducing one of the community’s most important spaces. The $6 million project broke ground in October 2024 with the promise of adding 4,400 square feet, enhancing children and youth engagement, promoting cultural connections, increasing accessibility and creating a friendly space for all.
The current library was built in 1991 and the process of obtaining more space has been ongoing since the early 2000s. As the project nears completion, the library is currently closed but will reopen from Nov. 10 to Dec. 6 for its curbside pickup services. The official reopening date for the library is Dec. 8 with a community celebration scheduled for February 2026.
“When we were doing the needs assessment in planning for this building expansion and renovation project, we found that the community really wanted more spaces for events, to gather and to just hang out in the library,” said Sarah French, Whitewater Public Library assistant director.
The renovation adds three new meeting rooms, a larger makerspace, comfortable seating and an expansion of the space in the children’s area.
“Our previous children’s area was quite small,” French said. “We’re expanding that area and adding more things for kids to do. There will be educational and fun activities while also having access to books and the STEAM kits.”
The new design also focuses on inclusivity and accessibility. Built in 1991, right before the Americans with Disabilities Act rules came into effect, the original building did not meet its standards.
“We’re really excited that everything is now going to be completely ADA compliant,” French said. “Everything from the bathrooms to the walkways, just ensuring we’re complying with ADA accessibility standards.”
A new teen area featuring two flat screen TVs and comfortable seating will also be part of the renovation. The new space is intended to provide local teens a place to “take ownership” of it, hang out after school and feel welcome.
Despite all of the new components being added to the library, preserving Whitewater’s identity and history remains a focal point to the project. The library’s Whitewater Room will still be intact. Home to a location history collection of books, maps and documents have been preserved and will be heavily highlighted upon reopening. The Kraege Room where local historian Fred Kraege’s work is preserved will be getting an update as well. “The other thing is we provide some online resources that people might not be aware of in relation to local history,” French said. “Those are available 24/7 on our website even when the building is closed.”
The online history service includes digitized Whitewater newspapers, yearbooks and more.
Funding for the $6 million project was a collaborative effort of city funding and fundraising done by the library. The city agreed to contribute $3 million if the library could contribute the same amount.
Although disruptions occurred during construction, anticipation in the community and within the library’s staff remains high.
“It has been quite the year because we’ve been trying to do as much as we can to stay open while also dealing with the nature of a renovation project, but overall I think the community is really excited to see the new space and get back into the building,” French said.
Located at 431 W. Center Street, the Whitewater Public Library wants residents to feel welcome.
“You don’t have to buy anything,” French said. “You can just be here to hang out, use our Wi-Fi, or attend events. We want the library to become a center for community events.”
