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By Bill Barth and Stephanie Klett
Only the most disciplined set of eyeballs could concentrate on reading with that view out the window.
It’s been said libraries are the lifeblood of communities. Most people are proud of their community libraries, for good reason. So excuse us, please, for bragging a bit about our favorite.
The Lake Geneva Public Library is in a class by itself. At 918 W. Main St., the library occupies some of the most exclusive real estate along the lakefront. Overlooking the beach, the unobstructed view is jaw-droppingly stunning. Pick any of the four seasons. Doesn’t matter. It’s beautiful.
The building itself is a sight to behold, designed by James Dresser, a protégé of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Dresser, who studied under Wright in the 1940s, is well known nationally but some of his best work has been in Wisconsin, where he designed the famed Wisconsin Dells supper clubs — The Del-Bar and Field’s at the Wilderness.
The Lake Geneva library was built in 1954, and features the unmistakable lines and elegance of Dresser’s ties to Wright’s principles of design. The building is a gem, and one of Lake Geneva’s most recognizable landmarks.
We had the opportunity to sit down recently with Emily Kornak, library director, and Kay Stang, assistant director. Both women came on board in 2017.
Emily is a bundle of energy, who often seems barely able to contain her own enthusiasm. She smiles big, talks fast, and moves with purpose.
Kay, at first, is more reserved. But when talking about all the library can accomplish she quickly warms to the subject and, like Emily, burns with mission-driven intensity.
They are proud of the architectural beauty where they work. They greatly appreciate the view out the broad expanse of lake-facing windows. But it’s what goes on inside the building – and outside, through community outreach – that sets their professional gears turning.
The library is a busy place, especially factoring in the high number of tourists who make their way inside.
“If you compare our door counts with a similar size library, in a similar size community, most of the time we will be much, much higher because of the visitor foot traffic,” Emily told us. “Our circulation numbers may be in line with another city our size, but the door count will be off the charts.”
A $1.2 million renovation recently updated heating and air conditioning, plumbing and added private study rooms that can be reserved online. The project – completed through fundraising, with no taxpayer money expended — replaced flooring, added restrooms, updated seating and changed the orientation of shelving. Stained glass dividers – another tribute to Wright’s principles of design – add a glorious touch. Just outside the lakeside doors is a new patio, with pavers that can be inscribed to honor donors. Contributions can be arranged on the library’s website.
Emily and Kay tell us they want to make the library more accessible to all people, which poses a challenge for the busy downtown location where parking can be both expensive and scarce. They’re studying ways to do more.
They’re counting on innovative outreach, and the library already does some impressive things. For example, staff can often be seen set up at the YMCA, enabling people to work out and access library materials. Likewise, staffers set up at the Farmers Market and expect to expand to other venues. School kids come to the library in groups, and staff members also regularly visit schools to promote reading.
“Can we fulfill our mission statement? And if we can’t do it right now, then how can we do it?” Emily said. “We get creative. We start thinking outside the box. And we come up with all kinds of different ideas and we see what works.”
With the library open six days a week, that’s a lot for eight full-time staffers. Which is probably why both Emily and Kay say, when asked what they most appreciate in their jobs, it’s the commitment of their co-workers.
“Everyone should get their library card,” Kay said. “If you don’t have a library card you are missing out, big-time. There is something for everyone in this building. There are books, movies, puzzles, ukeleles.”
Ukeleles?
“Not today,” she answered. “They’re all checked out.”
Darn.
This column is produced by the husband and wife team of Bill Barth and Stephanie Klett. Bill is the former Editor of the Beloit Daily News, and a member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame. Stephanie is the President and CEO of Visit Lake Geneva, and the former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
