ELLSWORTH – On Thursday, Jan. 25, Ellsworth Public Library staff, Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library and others gathered to celebrate a $30,000 grant received from the RCU Foundation.

The grant, applied for by Roxy Birkel and Sharon Schulze, went toward furnishing the new Maker’s Space, Children’s Area and Teen Room in the new library, located at 388 W. Main St. in Ellsworth.

Library Director Tiffany Meyer said it was a wonderful watching several children and families “joyfully using the space” the first two days the new library was open. The library opened for business on Jan. 24.

“This donation will have a positive and long-lasting impact in our community,” Meyer said.

John Sackett, president of the RCU Foundation, was on hand to present the ceremonial check, along with Royal Credit Union Grant & Giving Coordinator Melanie Baumgart. He said the foundation receives many requests from RCU’s service area. The goal of the foundation is to make a positive impact on the communities it serves.

“It’s beautiful,” Sackett said of the new library space. “We’re glad to see how it turned out.”

Since the foundation’s inception, it has awarded $8 million to community projects in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota; eight of those projects have involved libraries.

Libraries are not just a place to check out books, Sackett said.

“What they are is a functioning organization within the community,” he said.