TTDNTMiLS #6: Buildings and Grounds

The property the library actually occupies was rarely, if ever, mentioned in library school. Shelves, desks, reading areas, study rooms, meeting rooms, and many more interior aspects of a library were discussed, but the outside... not so much. Consequently, upon becoming Director of the fine Mukwonago Community Library, I was surprised to learn that I was not only responsible for the inside of the library (including, restrooms, HVAC units, wiring, light bulbs and... well, you get the idea), but that I was also responsible for the outside of the library.

Now, the village does do our lawn mowing and snow removal and they do help with many other routine maintenance tasks, but they don't help with garbage enclosures. Honestly, I had never once thought about garbage enclosures at libraries before becoming the director of one. But we all have them, and they need to maintained and updated just like everything else. So, we're in the process of getting a new enclosure. The old one was too small, too rickety, and hard to access for both the staff and the disposal guys.

The new one, by comparison, is a virtual mansion. Over twice as large, much sturdier and much easier to access. Plus, it will be comparatively inexpensive because the industrial arts program at the Mukwonago High School is providing us with the labor needed, meaning the only cost is the materials themselves. Good experience for some enterprising students and a lower cost for us-- super!

Another thing they never talked about in library school: landscaping. Fortunately, our entirely volunteer Garden Committee does most of this for us, and they do it exceptionally well. Here are a few samples of their work:

Fall Cleaning

Yes, typically we all clean up our homes and businesses in the spring-- after the winter. But there were some things that needed attention at the Library that just couldn't wait for next year.

Chief amongst those was the planter by our front door. A wonderful tribute to the community and its commitment to the Library, it was definitely starting to show the wear and tear of twelve years of Wisconsin weather. Over the past month, Dennis and Dave from Berg Construction has been renovating the planter and the process is nearly complete.

The last of the white "scale" will be cleaned off of the bricks in the next week or so, and all of the names that have fallen off of the planter will be replaced. Additionally, the Library's Garden Group is building a cover for the planter for the winter! Between Berg's great work and the new cover, the planter should once again be a beautiful testimonial when spring returns.

In addition to the planter, the Library's eaves are getting a long overdue fresh coat of paint. Severely weathered over the last twelve years, the eaves were in desperate need of both a fresh look and a sealing against the elements. Both should be accomplished by the end of the week.



And if that isn't enough, a serviceberry tree was recently donated to the Library in honor of Kathy McBride, the longtime Director of the Library. The tree was planted this morning, and it will remain a beautiful addition to the Library's landscaping for many years to come.