The first phase of construction is now complete – thank you so much to our donors who provided funding and our volunteers who helped prepare before the construction team took over and reset the library into our expanded layout when construction was complete!
As you can see in the picture at left, phase 1 accomplished many goals. Most notably, the Library now provides daily, seamless access into the expansion building for both staff and patrons. We are so glad to have these improvements our facility; it is difficult to remember what it was like before!
Now that the first phase of construction and furnishing is complete, we have set our sight on fundraising for the next step!
Phase 2 has four major components: remodeling the public restroom facilities, expanding and remodeling the teen space, updating lighting, and updating HVAC. In the picture at right, the planned remodel for teen space and restrooms is highlighted in teal and the updated HVAC and lighting areas are highlighted in red.
Also shown is Phase 3, exterior improvements to visually unite the two buildings. If we can secure sufficient funding to schedule all construction work at the same time, a significant cost savings is available. We want to reach towards that goal in order to make efficient use of donated funds and minimize inconveniences patrons experience. However, if that is not possible, the highest priority for remodeling is work on the public restroom facilities and teen space.
At present, the public restrooms do not have floor drains, which caused damages in the past when a water line froze and burst. Planned updates relocate water lines and install floor drains to minimize damages if a similar failure happens again. Knowing that any leaks or floods will have an escape route down floor drains rather than out into the Library is one our staff’s favorite parts of the project!
The restrooms also have only one stall each; capacity to provide better basic amenities to community residents and visitors will increase as both restrooms will be remodeled to include two stalls, two sinks, and a baby changing table. Our water fountain with bottle filler will also be reinstalled once the updated water lines are in place.
Before our Building Project began, we did not have a space for teens. Their (limited) collections were located either with the children or adults, neither had great options to serve our community’s young adults. That is changing: even now, simply having a room specifically for them is drawing more tweens & teens into using the Library. We want to continue that growth by remodeling the space to better serve them!
The room was originally designed as a storytime room for young children with steps that cut into floor space for seating or bookcases. The remodel will remove the steps and enlarge the room into the current hallway, maximizing the space available. We are very thankful to the Pearson Family for designating $30,300 of the Carol Ann Pearson Memorial towards making these improvements happen!
Fundraising for the Project
The Board and Staff of the Lindsborg Community Library continue working with Friends of Lindsborg Library (our 501(c)3 partner) to achieve our fundraising goals. As of March 31, 2026, a total of $133,662.43 has been raised towards funding Phase Two. Significant grant applications are currently pending; we will know by May 2026 if the Library Building Project will be receiving awards from any of those applications.
The Pearson Family has donated $30,300 towards remodeling the Teen Space, contingent on the challenge to secure funding in order to start construction before June 1, 2027. Once we secure at least $340,000 for the Building Project, we will be assured that we have sufficient funds to schedule a construction project that will keep the Library from forfeiting these funds intended for improving youth services.
However, the Library staff and board members want to do more than the minimum if possible! Securing $406,000 of funds allows the Library to schedule HVAC and lighting updates concurrently for a complete phase 2 construction project. Securing $460,000 would allow concurrent scheduling of a complete phase 2 along with basic exterior updates to unite the original and expansion buildings visually. This would complete the entire Building Project; all remodeling projects would be complete and the we would transition to standard facility maintenance.
Any size of gift truly does help: we appreciate the many donations received so far, whether it is spare change or the $100,000 challenge gift from our anonymous donor. For specific details on how you can donate, visit our donation page online or contact Library Director Suzanna Swenson at [email protected].