The new library will be a centerpiece for our downtown and a place for everyone to enjoy and connect.”

Mayor Mike Henke

STANLEY, Wis. – A $4.1 million state grant will power the renovation and expansion of Stanley’s 123-year-old D.R. Moon Memorial Library, Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday.
The funding, through the state’s Flexible Facilities Grant program using federal pandemic recovery money, will provide the lion’s share of the cost of the much-needed project. It is one of 35 grants to local and tribal governments statewide, totaling $115 million.
“We’re working to build the 21st-century infrastructure and workforce Wisconsin needs to meet the demands of the 21st century, including expanding access to high-speed internet. Every Wisconsinite should have access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, and these investments will help build upon our work to close the digital divide, especially in our rural areas and communities,” said Gov. Evers.
Stanley’s grant totaled $4,137,056.
“We’re thrilled that the state and the governor recognized the value of our library project and its importance as a vital community resource,” said Cathy Ryba, chair of the Library Board. “The funding will ensure that the project advances, giving our library patrons more flexible space, updated technology, and improved ADA accessibility.”
Stanley Mayor Mike Henke thanked state officials for recognizing the need and expressed hope that construction could begin soon on the new, renovated library.
“This grant is a launchpad for a project that we’ve all known has been overdue,” Henke said. “The new library will be a centerpiece for our downtown and a place for everyone to enjoy and connect.”
The new library will feature ample seating, three computer labs with 26 computer workstations, multi-purpose meeting and study rooms, space for a larger collection, and spaces for programming for seniors, kids, teens, adults, and families. Plans call for the existing library to be renovated, keeping intact its historic value and allowing for modern amenities.
Library Director Elizabeth Miniatt also expressed her gratitude to the mayor and City Council for their support, along with the people, organizations, and businesses who have already contributed to the Building Connections capital campaign.
“This grant goes far in helping us deliver a leading-edge library, providing a welcoming place for the community to connect, learn, and grow,” she said. “The new library will provide technology and digital connectivity in a space that is triple the size of the existing facility.”
While the grant brings the project much closer to reality, Ryba stressed that the library’s capital campaign is ongoing, as construction costs continue to rise.
“The grant represents a tremendous boost for the campaign, but we continue to seek private gifts to ensure that the library is fully funded and outfitted with the equipment required in a modern library,” Ryba said. “Our community has been incredibly generous, and we’ll continue to tap into that spirit of giving.”
To donate to the campaign, visit stanleylibrary.org/donate.