Building Project Updates | New Glarus Public Library

Recent Building News

CALL FOR ARTISTS JULY 2025

NEW GLARUS PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT

Call Type: Public Art

Eligibility: South-Central Wisconsin artists

Total Art Budget: $10,000

Images: Up to 25

Submissions Due: Aug 31, 2025

Installation: Aug 2026

Building Completion: Sept 2026

INTRODUCTION:

The New Glarus Library Board seeks local artists to create original artworks for the New Glarus Public Library Building Project.

The Village of New Glarus is building a new public library at 26 5th Ave., New Glarus, WI. Construction began June 2025, and the New Glarus Public Library will open to the public in fall 2026. The goal is to enhance the new building with artwork that will provide a sense of calm, encourage playfulness and creativity, inspire discovery, celebrate community, and foster connections.

Art proposals are being sought from artists for a variety of public areas within the library. The total available budget is $10,000. This amount will be divided among the selected artists with individual stipends anticipated in the range of up to $2,000. The budget is intended to cover artist fees, materials, and other project related expenses.

SELECTION PROCESS:

A selection panel of community members, arts professionals, artists, and library representatives will review proposals.

INITIAL REVIEW:

The panel will evaluate the submitted images and proposals and identify the strongest ones based on creativity and alignment with the Library’s vision and mission.

INTERVIEWS OF INTENTION:

Artists who are being considered will be invited for interviews to discuss their vision. Meetings will be in person or virtual.

FINAL SELECTION:

The panel will make final selections based on the artist(s) and artwork that they believe best meet the project's goals as well as feasibility.

THE NEW GLARUS PUBLIC LIBRARY MISSION:

The New Glarus Public Library was established in 1934 to serve the educational, cultural, and entertainment needs of the greater New Glarus area. The library’s mission is to welcome and serve all people, providing them a comfortable place to gather, as well as the information and services needed to learn and better themselves, their families, and their communities. In the pursuit of this end, we are continually exploring new ways in which we can provide educational opportunities, encourage creativity, promote connections within the community, celebrate heritage and culture, and support the entrepreneurs and artists of South Central Wisconsin and beyond.

THE NEW GLARUS PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

OPN Architects have designed the new library, and CG Schmidt is the Construction Manager Advisor. The new library’s Swiss-inspired modern design will add to the village’s charm while serving as a vital gathering place. To see the architectural plans, please visit our website and click the tab titled “Building Project”.

Located in the heart of downtown, the facility will provide reliable high-speed internet, cutting-edge digital technology, and private spaces designed to support work, education, and health monitoring. There will be quiet reading areas, children’s programming space, teen area, a cozy fireplace and a larger programming classroom with access to an outdoor reading garden. This modern facility will enrich the lives of residents of all ages, creating a vibrant, inclusive hub for learning, connection, and growth within our community.

DESIGN STYLE:

Exterior-inspired by a Swiss Chalet

Interior-a modern interior for a modern library

Playful, cozy, and warm

Inspired by nature

BUILDING DESIGN THEMES:

NATURE

Providing beauty and a sense of calm

Motifs: Trees, leaves, shadows, river, flowers, fractal patterns

Concepts: growing, changing seasons

COMMUNITY

Cultural groups-music & theater: Wilhelm Tell Play, Jodlerklub, Männorchor, Alphorn Club

Community Partnerships

History: Farming, cheese-making, immigrants

Celebrations: (festivals play a big part in the community)

Supporting the wellbeing of citizens of all ages

COLORS: inspired by nature

Neutrals: earth tones, greens, no bright white,

colors that complement the wood timbers in the ceiling

ART (currently in the library collection)

2 map quilts-mostly green colors

Historic brass bells hung in entryway

SPECIFICATIONS:

Proposals will be considered for ALL MEDIA.

The listed areas include walls, windows, ceilings, and green spaces. For details, refer to the architectural design images on the NGPL website, click the tab titled “Building Project”.

Children’s Collection
Children’s Programming Room
Young Adult Area
Entryway Vestibule
Adult Collection
Wall Above Fireplace
Conference Room
2 Study rooms
Sensory/multipurpose room
Outdoor opportunities/green spaces
1. Reading Garden
2. Art incorporated into the limestone retaining wall
3. Front door area
4. Signage on Railroad St.

PUBLIC ART GOALS:

To enhance the building by adding warmth, texture, color, and bring in elements of nature and community
To enrich the building with a sense of place that reflects the characteristics and culture of New Glarus and the surrounding region
To honor the history, celebrate the present, and welcome the future of the region
To engage visitors of all backgrounds
To feature artwork by regional artists

TIMELINE:

Submissions Due: Aug 31, 2025

Initial Interviews: Oct-Nov 2025

Selected Artists Notified: Jan-Feb 2026

Contracts Executed: Feb 2026

Artwork Installation: Aug 2026

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Proposals, including printed materials and/or thumb drives may be dropped off at:

New Glarus Public Library, 319 2nd St, New Glarus

Or mailed to: New Glarus Public Library, P.O. Box 35, New Glarus WI 53574

1. Up to 25 images of your work

2. A brief description of your proposal, including a budget outlining how you will utilize the allocated funds

Work Begins

June 2025

New Library Site Overlay

June 10, 2025

Groundbreaking Ceremony!

Groundbreaking Ceremony, May 29, 2025

May 2025

New Glarus Public Library to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Library

New Glarus, WI – New Glarus Public Library will celebrate the beginning of construction for the new Library on Thursday, May 29th at 6:00 p.m. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the site of the new library located at 26 5th Avenue. CG Schmidt has been selected as the Construction Manager and OPN Architects as the architect for the new library project following a competitive process that recognized their expertise and commitment to quality and community needs.

The groundbreaking ceremony is open to members of the community regional library partners, and the libraries' architectural and construction partners.

In July 2024, the New Glarus Public Library and the Village of New Glarus jointly submitted a grant application to the state's Flexible Facilities Program. Their proposal outlined the need for a new public library facility, with the intended site being the existing Town Hall property in the downtown area. In October 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) approved their request, granting the Village of New Glarus $4.25 million to fund the library construction project.

“We are delighted to announce the upcoming groundbreaking for the New Glarus Public Library,” said Daniel Ramirez, President of New Glarus Public Library Board. “In our growing digital world, libraries play a vital role in bringing equal access information for everyone.”

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The New Glarus Public Library is dedicated to serving the community by providing access to a wide range of resources and services. With your library card, you get free access to hundreds of thousands of titles available in a variety of physical formats, as well as electronic formats like Libby ebooks, Audiobooks, and eMagazines. Visit the library webpage for online tools and databases including Consumer Reports, Transparent Languages, and online newspapers to name a few. Use the library computers to research your family history on Ancestry.com. The library also offers a variety of programming opportunities from craft nights, genealogy workshops, book club, and dulcimer lessons for adults, to Story Time, Movers & Shakers, Lego Club, Summer Reading Programs, and so much more for kids. Need to print, scan, fax, or to get tech support? We’ve got you covered! Delve into local history with our friendly and knowledgeable staff. Help us to continue to provide these services for years to come by supporting the library through donations or by volunteering with our wonderful Friends group. The New Glarus Public Library is your hub for learning, discovery, and connection.

CG Schmidt, a family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Madison and Milwaukee. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community, and religious facilities. As a fifth generation, family-owned construction firm, CG Schmidt is a respected industry leader. The company has built a reputation for tackling some of the most recognizable projects that shape communities, and with a growing focus on community-based initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the areas where we build.

OPN Architects is a regional design firm with more than 117 designers in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. OPN offers a holistic blend of architecture, planning, and interior design services. They have an intentionally diverse list of clients and project types including libraries, education, public safety, health care, historic, corporate, and recreation. OPN’s architects and interior designers embrace our responsibility to care for each other and our planet through extraordinary design and boundary-free practice. Our commitment to excellence and our clients results in people-driven, award-winning designs.

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Your New Library

March 31, 2025

(View outside the adult section of the library, facing 5th Avenue)

(Floor plan)

Grant Agreement Signed

March 13, 2025

The Flexible Facilities Program grant agreement has been signed by the Village and the DOA, allowing the library to move forward on the purchase of property and the construction phase of the project. The closing on the Town Hall and Swiss Church properties took place Wednesday, March 12. The Village is now the official owner, however the Town will continue to operate out of this space until May 1st so that they can carry out the spring election as usual.

OPN Architects are concluding the schematic design phase and moving into design development. They are collaborating with CG Schmidt for pricing on the new library in preparation for bid packages later this spring. Construction will begin by July 1st and conclude by September 30, 2026.

January 16, 2025

CG Schmidt Hired as Construction Manager Advisor

NEW GLARUS, WI. (Jan. 16, 2025) – The New Glarus Public Library Board has proudly selected CG Schmidt as the Construction Manager as Advisor (CMa) for their new public library project. This exciting development is made possible by a $4.25 million Flexible Facilities Program Grant. The new library will provide reliable high-speed internet, cutting-edge digital technology, and private spaces designed to support work, education, and health monitoring. This modern facility will enrich the lives of residents of all ages, creating a vibrant, inclusive hub for learning, connection, and growth within our community.

Following a thorough and highly competitive selection process, the Library Board and Building Committee chose CG Schmidt for its unmatched expertise in community-focused construction and its strong track record of delivering successful projects throughout the region. CG Schmidt demonstrated a deep understanding of our vision for the new library and is dedicated to collaboration, quality, and local involvement.

OPN Architects, a nationally renowned design firm, will serve as the project’s architect. The partnership between CG Schmidt and OPN Architects will ensure that every aspect of the library, from initial design to construction, reflects the needs and values of the New Glarus community.

“This is an exciting milestone for the New Glarus Public Library,” said Daniel Ramirez, President of the New Glarus Public Library Board. “We are confident that CG Schmidt and OPN Architects will bring our vision to life, creating a space that inspires learning, strengthens community connections, and supports residents for generations to come.”

Drawing on its extensive experience in community-based projects, CG Schmidt will lead efforts to bring the New Glarus Public Library’s vision to life. "We are honored to contribute to the New Glarus Public Library, a project that reflects our dedication to building spaces where communities unite, grow, and thrive,” said Dan Chovanec, Senior Vice President at CG Schmidt. “This library will serve as a cornerstone for learning and connection, and we’re excited to apply our expertise and passion to every phase of its development.”

In alignment with the Library Board’s commitment to supporting the local economy, CG Schmidt will actively engage Green County subcontractors and vendors throughout the project. Their plan to divide the project into smaller bid packages will provide opportunities for diverse, community-based businesses to participate.

CG Schmidt has extensive experience with projects that benefit local communities, including the SSM Monroe Hospital and Clinic, School District of Monroe upgrades, and the Monroe Arts Center restoration. OPN Architects brings a strong portfolio of library and public space designs that prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and functionality. Together, these partners will deliver a library that the New Glarus community can be proud to call its own.

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CG Schmidt, a family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Madison and Milwaukee. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community, and religious facilities. As a fifth generation, family-owned construction firm, CG Schmidt is a respected industry leader. The company has built a reputation for tackling some of the most complex and recognizable projects that shape communities and create quality, state-of-the-art buildings in the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

For more information, please visit www.cgschmidt.com, or www.opnarchitects.com.

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December 16, 2024

December 6, 2024

On December 4th of this month, the Town held a special meeting of the electorate to vote on the sale of the Town Hall property to the village for the purpose of building a new library.

All grant paperwork was submitted at the end of November for review and in preparation for the signing of the grant agreement.

The village and library continue to move forward with OPN in the initial phases of design, and are gathering information regarding the site with surveys and testing. OPN will present to the Library Board on December 11th to share initial concepts and gather feedback. They will be presenting to the Village Board on December 17th, and on January 9th there will be a community engagement session in the Village Hall community room. The community is welcome to attend to learn more.

October 24, 2024

Friday, October 18th the New Glarus Public Library was visited by Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary, Kathy Blumenfeld, to tour the library and celebrate the community’s recent Flexible Facilities award of 4.25 million dollars for the construction of a new library. Blumenfeld met with local leaders and stakeholders including the Village Administrator, Library Director, and members of the Village and Library boards to congratulate the community and celebrate this important milestone.

Blumenfeld shared, “I see Libraries as the backbone of a community, it’s the gathering place, a place where people come to borrow books, to read books, to meet, and there is so much amazing programming that happens at libraries for children, for seniors, and everybody in between.”

Local leaders emphasized that the new library will be a community hub and highlighted the many positive impacts of the project including, increased broadband access, private spaces to conduct activities related to work, education, and healthcare, as well as more space for browsing, quiet reading, programming, and gathering. Gratitude was expressed to the Village, Library, Town, and Swiss Church Boards who are working together to make a new downtown library a reality.

Architect Update

October 11, 2024

The library board has selected an architectural firm and is excited to be working with OPN Architects out of Madison, Wisconsin. Check out some of the libraries they have created at OPN Library Planning & Design.

Flexible Facilities Grant Award!!

October 7, 2024

In July 2024, the Village of New Glarus and New Glarus Public Library submitted a Flexible Facilities Program (FFP) grant proposal for the construction of a new public library at the downtown location of the current Town Hall property, 26 5th Street. On Monday, October 7th, Governor Evers announced that the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) is awarding the Village of New Glarus $4,250,000 for this FFP project. The New Glarus Public Library is one of 35 agencies in Wisconsin to receive a portion of the DOA’s $115 million in funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The grant funding will assist with the construction of a new public library, benefiting more than 6,100 individuals of New Glarus and the surrounding towns. The new library will offer expanded features, including additional browsing areas, a dedicated children’s programming space, study rooms, and a classroom for programs and workshops. In response to community needs, the library will also be equipped with fast, reliable 100 Mbps internet, enhanced technology access, and private workspaces designed for virtual activities such as remote work, education, and healthcare. These amenities address the increasing demand for private workspaces, a need that has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant funding is specifically designated for the construction of a new library building and cannot be used for future operating costs.

The New Glarus Library Board is in the process of hiring an architect to begin designing the new library. The design process will include community input sessions, which will give residents and library users an opportunity to provide their feedback. For those looking to contribute to this project, the library will continue to seek and accept donations to the endowment fund, which will help cover operational costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the library.

For further information, our board minutes are available under the "More" tab on the homepage http://www.newglaruspubliclibrary.org/library-board