It’s been 25 years since the Manitowoc Public Library moved from Hamilton Street to Quay Street.
The library staff, city and state representatives, and a small crowd gathered in the library Tuesday to remember what good things have happened since the move.
Former Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford says the city needed a lot of new buildings in the 1990’s including a new library because the old one needed a new roof and a new boiler.
He says there was some arguing over whether the library should have been moved at all.
“People who go there really enjoy what they doing there,” he says. “The staff felt quite the same way. But the idea though should not be in the hub of the city didn’t make any sense to me. I was a new guy, I didn’t have any official training, but I knew downtown needed a lot of work.”
But after several deals, which included ending the Brownfield status on the land, the library was approved to move to Quay Street and be completely rebuilt.
Eight of the staff members from the first library moved into the new library and were recognized as the “elite eight” at the celebration.
Karin Adams at the 25th Anniversary Celebration
Executive Director Karin Adams says like many other libraries, Manitowoc’s keeps updating with the times.
“We have an idea box and a maker’s space,” she says. “We also have a sound booth, sewing machines, and people can learn how to use a 3D printer or learn how to use an IMAC for photo editing. So those things weren’t around 25 years ago but something we have available today.”
Other speakers at the event included current Mayor Justin Nickles, Library Board President Darian Kaderabek, Alderman Jim Brey, and Wisconsin Assistant Superintendent Darnell Williams who thanked people for attending.
Adams also thanked everyone for showing up for the celebration.
The event ended with appetizers in the Balkansky Room upstairs.
