Brown County Library Logo
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Brown County Library is asking for the community’s help as it launches one final fundraiser ahead of the opening of its new branch.
The library needs $100,000 to fully complete its brand new Pamperin Family Branch near the Ashwaubenon Target, which is scheduled to start welcoming visitors in early 2026.
It’s a building that appears from the outside to be nearly complete, so what will the money mostly go toward?
“Bookshelves. You’re like, ‘Oh, bookshelves?’ Yes, bookshelves,” Brown County Library Executive Director Sarah Sugden said. “It’s a small thing, but we all know the cost of nails and bookshelves can sometimes just increase an overall project cost.”
Sugden said construction costs have gone up since 2022. A mailer sent out by the library states rising prices are making the 2026 opening a challenge.
Despite this setback, Sugden said the new branch will still open.
“We are so excited to open. We’re ready to open. We know the community is ready for their library to be open as well, and we’re going to make that goal,” Sugden said.
Once the Pamperin Family Branch Library opens, it will replace the aging Ashwaubenon Branch down the road off Orlando Drive.
“This branch has served the community well for 50 years now, but they could never have anticipated all the needs of the community and we’ve just outgrown this space,” Ashwaubenon Branch Manager Karla Giraldez said.
The $100,000 will also help pay for completing other amenities at the library. Some of the upgrades include seven individual study rooms, a larger children’s area, a space for teens and an outdoor patio — a majority of which the current Ashwaubenon branch lacks.
“I’m so pleased to finally be at a point where we can open it up to the community and we’re just counting down the days,” Giraldez said.
Sugden said the project is about halfway done and officials aren’t expecting any other hurdles.
There is no deadline to raise the $100,000, but Sugden said the sooner the better, as the new library is expected to open by mid-2026.
Comments