I’ve been deeply involved in the library business since 2017. At a November town meeting, I respectfully asked the board if anything could be done about the $45,000 bill we owed to Oconto County for library services. I knew much of it went to fund faraway Brown County libraries, though Townsend had a handful of residents using them.
The town chairwoman responded with a flat-out no.
“Have we tried?” I asked.
In an exasperated tone, she replied, “You try!”
Now people who know me understand such talk is like waving a red flag in front of an indignant bull. I started doing research, making phone calls, meeting with anyone who knew anything about library funding. Miraculously, I stumbled upon Shannon Schultz, a Department of Public Instruction expert and fantastic source of information.
Shannon’s solution? Form a joint library. Oh, oh. That required townships to work together, something that had always proved troublesome here in Poor Man’s Paradise.
One prominent Oconto County official scoffed at the idea: “Never gonna happen. You people up there couldn’t agree on what brand of beer to serve at a church picnic.”
Never? Did he say never? Whoa. The size of that red flag quadrupled.
Well, it wasn’t as if it hadn’t been done before. Townsend and Lakewood were partners in a first-class ambulance service; local fire departments operated under a mutual assistance pact. Why not a joint library? Where to begin? You can love libraries, which I did, but you also need to know how they’re run, which I didn’t.
That problem was solved when I was chosen to fill an empty seat on the existing Lakewood Library Board chaired by Linda McKenna. A retired second grade teacher, Linda is amazing. She’s a first-rate thinker, planner and doer. None of what has subsequently transpired at the library would have happened without her.
Linda immediately turned an I into a we. Together we assembled a task force to represent the stakeholders: Linda and former Director Nicole Lowery (Library); Dick Kendall (Doty); Joann Roy (Lakewood); Ann Hogan (Riverview); and Don D. Bartels Jr. (county supervisor). I would speak for Townsend. We invited Mountain, but they declined.
From our first to our final monthly meetings, we got right down to business, operating by consensus instead of parliamentary procedure. That wise decision promoted harmony and cooperation as participants felt respected, included, empowered and heard. When the subject of needing someone to keep minutes came up, everyone avoided eye contact, waiting for someone, anyone, to volunteer.
I know, I should have kept my mouth shut, but no, I had to go and raise my hand. I was immediately appointed, by consensus, of course. OK, then, time to get to work. Not busy work. Meaningful, productive, consequential work done by dedicated people determined to succeed.
It took three years to hammer out a legal framework enabling the townships to assume joint ownership of Lakes Country Public Library on Jan. 1, 2020. This required a huge leap of faith for Lakewood, which had owned and operated the library since 1982. It had become an ever-increasing financial burden, but now the four towns would provide $135,000 annually to fund it. Consequently, the library’s financial status was sound; its future secure.
Fast-forward to 2024. What will likely be the subject of a future column, Lakewood Library is undergoing extensive modification. A building project will double its size with 21st century amenities and services. The new facility has a roomy community center, teen zone and expanded children’s library. There’s a large circulation desk, relaxing soft-seating area with fireplace, updated computer section, family restroom, local history room and small sound-proof rooms for telehealth and quiet study.
Since that fateful Townsend meeting almost seven years ago, my life has been overwhelmed by all forms of communication. It’s been a lot of work and then some. My arm has ached from holding a cellphone; my email inbox is always overflowing; piles of paper accumulate all over the house. I’ve written a thousand letters and spoken a million words. In the end, it’s all been worth it, if only because of the wonderful friends and wealth of knowledge I’ve acquired along the way.
Dedication of the library will take place on July 27, sure to be one exciting day in the Wisconsin Northwoods. The happiest person attending will most likely be my husband, Jon. He’s been the wind beneath my wings, keeping me aloft on the most challenging adventure of my life. I did promise him this will be our final flight.
In retrospect, I realize I haven’t felt this alive since Jon and I saved the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp after some long-deceased lumberjacks bewitched me. Hmmm. Did something similar happen here? Was I bewitched by books? Just the thought makes me smile.
Kathleen Marsh is a lifelong educator, writer and community advocate. She has published eight books, four on the history of Townsend, where she and husband Jon are happily retired on the beautiful Townsend Flowage.
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