ELLSWORTH – A 100^th anniversary is a big deal, which is why the Ellsworth Public Library has a full week of celebrations planned for May 15-22.

The Centennial Planning Committee, which consists of Judy Perkins (chair), Karen Meyer, Sharon Hofmeister, Patty Murphy, Angie Bjork, Cindy Baird, Tiffany Meyer, Caroline Herfindahl, Henry Jansa, and Mike Harris, has been getting their ducks in a row since January. This has included lining up events and researching the library’s history.

“We’ve found some interesting things because a lot of the libraries are celebrating at the same time,” said Herfindahl. “There was definitely a movement going on around the county. There was a push from Madison to have a central county library and many branches.”

Pierce County did not end up having a centralized county library. Herfindahl attributes this to the fact that Pierce County citizens have a lot of civic pride.

“People wanted it to say their city’s name or village’s name on it,” she surmised. “It was definitely a community organization-led movement, particularly women’s groups, that really wanted to bring a library here.”

Ellsworth citizens had access to books prior to the library’s founding in 1924 thanks to Wisconsin Free Library Commission’s traveling library program that originated at UW-Stout. However, residents wanted a more permanent solution and in 1924, a library/book collection opened in the home of Dr. Deo C. Munger, thanks to the persistence of Ada Garland, Jennie Swahn and Nance Beddall.

“There were ways for people to read and get books and information, but there wasn’t really a central location until 1924,” Herfindahl said.

Soon the fledgling library moved to the old Firemen’s Opera House on the northwest corner of Kinne and Chestnut streets. It was there for about a year.

“It wasn’t an ideal location for a library, which was right next to the bowling alley (they shared the same room),” Herfindahl laughed. “They were looking for a different spot for it very early on.”

In March 1925, the library moved into the Combacker building with Grayce Bittner as the first librarian. In 1932, it moved into the basement of the Community Hall at 312 W. Main St. The plan was for the building to house village offices, a public library, court room, public toilets, bowling alley and theater. The movie theater on the main floor closed for the final time in 1970, and five years later, the library moved upstairs and occupied that space until it moved to its current space at 388 W. Main St. (the former BMO Bank building) in 2023.

The library’s first annual report showed 416 patrons borrowing 2,407 books from March to October 1925.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, Herfindahl will give a presentation that will outline the library’s intriguing history.

“We have something special planned for every day of the week,” Perkins said.

• Discover Together Tuesday, held at 11 a.m. May 14 in the Ellsworth Senior Center (312 W. Main St.) will serve as a pre-celebration event featuring a presentation by Stuart Stotts on Lutie Stearns and Wisconsin’s Traveling Libraries. Stearns started the traveling library program, which was a part of Ellsworth’s library history. Everyone is welcome.
• A medallion hunt will kick things off with the first clue released on May 15. A new clue will be released each day until the medallion, designed by Kayleen Jakes of Brush Strokes (using Mindy Anderson’s library log), is found. Clues can be picked up at the circulation desk inside the library. The medallion will be located on public property in Ellsworth. The winner will receive $100 in Chamber Bucks.
• An open house celebration will be held 5:30-7 p.m. May 15 with refreshments provided by the Ellsworth High School Family & Consumer Education classes and music by the EHS band from 5:30-6 p.m.
• A puzzle derby will take place 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Gather your jigsaw puzzle loving friends and register a team of four to compete. The derby will be limited to eight teams. The first to complete a 500-piece puzzle wins a prize. Be sure to register your team at the library or by phone.
• From 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, people can relive childhood memories or make new ones by playing old-fashioned games under the old drive-thru. Try your hand at jacks, roll hoops, walking on giant “can feet,” sack jumping and many other classic games.
• Patty Murphy will host a morning of book creation and creativity for kids age 8 and older (limit 15) at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18. Sign up ahead of time.
• Join Herfindahl for a special family storytime from 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, May 20. The event will feature stories, songs, crafts, activities and games, along with popcorn courtesy of WESTconsin Credit Union.
• Instructor Kay Fritz will guide adults through a book creation project from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Registration is required and the class is limited to 20 participants.
• The Centennial Celebration Finale will be held 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, complete with apple pie, music by Tim Brunner and a chance to meet up with friends and neighbors as we wish the library a happy 100 years.
• The library is partnering with the Pierce County Food Pantry to collect 100+ items for the pantry. All donations are welcome throughout the week. The pantry especially needs flour, sugar, shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, peanut butter, jelly, vegetable oil, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, dry soup mix, cereal; canned fruits, vegetables and meats. Monetary donations are always appreciated.

Herfindahl said door prizes will be awarded throughout the week at each event, including three large prizes at the finale celebration: A $50 gift certificate to Common Man, a backyard bird kit from Ace Hardware and a cheese gift box from the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery.

When asked what the library’s purpose is in the community, Herfindahl and Perkins were in agreement.

“I think the goal has always been to increase access since the beginning of libraries and that is something that we are always doing,” Herfindahl said.

“The resources and ways people access information are always changing. We are always trying to meet the needs of people and bring in more,” Perkins added. “We’re excited to celebrate and invite everyone to join us all week, or for just one event.”

The celebration is made possible with support from The Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library. History facts are courtesy of the Pierce County Historical Association. Call 715-273-3209 to register for events.