Library board members (left to right) Steva Haeflinger (and her children: Ivan, Eian and Theo), Sharon Zobeck, LuRae Mohrfeld, and John Boyle along with Library Director, Renee Burke stand inside what will be the new library and are grateful for the recent Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust grant.
The Elma Public Library was honored to receive a $60,000 grant award from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust on April 23, 2021.
Since 1991, the Trust has awarded nearly 300 grants, totaling almost $9.7 million, to public libraries throughout the state of Iowa. Grants are generally awarded for construction, renovation and/or furnishings and equipment needs, including technology-based initiatives that link libraries across multiple sites. “We are so grateful to Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust for this grant. The money will give us a good start on building the new library.” expressed library director, Renee Burke.
The Elma Library began its journey toward a new library in 2017 when a city council member approached library director, Renee Burke, about moving the library into the former elementary building which was acquired by the city of Elma from Howard-Winneshiek School District after the school district vacated the building. The library board met with and discussed the move with the city council. The board then agreed to proceed with moving the library. The project was named the Elma Community Complex or ECC. Original plans were to house the Elma Library, the Elma Early Childhood Center, a community meeting room with full kitchen, the city clerk’s office and a new, free standing rural medical clinic on city owned property in one location. After much plan changing and cost analysis, the two story school was torn down with the school gymnasium becoming home to the new library, city clerk’s office and 50 person capacity multi-purpose room with kitchenette, the day care would add on a new infant room and remodel the old infant room into a 3 year-old preschool. The rural medical clinic would be a new building built across town on Busti Ave. The Elma Library will increase its square footage from 2200 sq. ft. to 2870 sq.ft. with additional square footage for a study room of 96 sq.ft. and a multi-purpose room of 880 sq.ft. with an attached kitchenette of 435 sq.ft. The library will have upgraded Internet access and share solar power resources with the city and day care. “We will have the capabilities to sponsor new types of programming for all ages, new technology will allow people to hold meetings for larger groups with technological amenities usually found in larger towns, hold classes for educational and social enrichment or rent the space for family gatherings or social engagements. The library will be located at the school bus stop for two school districts and across a hallway from the day care. Our facility will be completely handicap accessible. The library is a living, breathing entity that changes and grows to accommodate its community. That is what we look forward to most.” stated, Renee Burke, library director. The entire project is estimated to cost 1.2 million dollars and with the recent announcement of the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, $896,000 has been raised thus far. The project is being done in phases as funding allows. The committee hopes to complete the community room renovations this summer and the day care addition this fall and the library and city clerk’s office in 2022.
Library board members (left to right) Steva Haeflinger (and her children: Ivan, Eian and Theo), Sharon Zobeck, LuRae Mohrfeld, and John Boyle along with Library Director, Renee Burke stand inside what will be the new library and are grateful for the recent Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust grant. They are currently working on renovating the community room with the hopes it will be available for usage by mid summer for library programs, council meetings and public use. “I am excited about the library and community room. Increased space along with full handicap accessibility will be wonderful and it is nice that it is close to the day care and park,” shared Steva. “I hope seniors will consider using the community room for a gathering place–maybe play cards or bingo and they can also take advantage of the library resources while there.” shared John Boyle.
For more information on the project, please contact the Elma Public Library at 641-393-8100.