Library History and Timeline
Frank and Betty Koller short Bio
Frank & Betty Koller
In 1986, Frank and Betty Koller generously donated the library to the town of Manitowish Waters in memory of their son, Frank B. Koller. They again showed their support and generosity with the donation of a 760 square foot addition to the building in 1996. They have both passed away, but their estate continues to support the library very generously and will for years to come.
Pauline Zeber short Bio
Pauline Zeber
Pauline Zeber was the first librarian at the Frank B. Koller Memorial Library, working on a volunteer basis since the library’s inception. Pauline contributed thousands of hours of her time managing the library, purchasing new materials, and cataloging the library’s collection.
A video series of the history of the library can be seen here.
Frank B. Koller Memorial Library Time Line
An idea takes shape
April 9, 1985
Committee was created to look into forming a library. Committee members: Rev. Hall (Chairman), Helen Townsend, Betty Skrobot, Toby Hyland
August 27, 1985
Committee recommended present site and a building to be constructed. Frank & Betty Koller offered to donate the library.
October 2, 1985
Library voted down at town meeting, 21 to 1
Mercer Library continues to grow
December 1, 1939
By the end of 1939 there were approximately 600 books in the Mercer Library. By September of 1941, the library was open for 21 days a month for a total of 132 hours.
Library moves to Haines Building
January 1, 1980
By 1980, the library had outgrown its space in the Community Center. The town moved the library into the Haines Building on Railroad Street. but in just a few years the library had outgrown its new location.
New library opens
October 1, 1997
In November of 1996, ground was broken for a new library and the renovation of the community center began. The first completion date of May 31 came and went. Throughout the summer there were numerous delays, but then on October 1, 1997 the new library opened its doors.
Mercer begins plans to expand the library again
October 1, 2007
Over the next 13 years, the library’s collection more than doubled and the number of annual visitors to the library more than tripled. The library continued to grow in numbers of users, books and movies checked out, computer users, and children’s program attendees. In 2007 the library circulated a survey of Mercer residents asking about their use of the library, and the overwhelming response was that the library needs more space. A group of library supporters and town board members convened to discuss the possibility of adding on to the current library.
Library expansion project completed
May 1, 2013
The library board established a building committee to work on fundraising for a new addition to the library, and after much fundraising and planning, the library broke ground on a 2600-square foot addition to the library in October 2012. The addition was completed in the spring of 2013 and added a children’s room, meeting room, office, and main library space. The square footage of the library was nearly doubled, but the original library space remained as the current library’s Reading Room.
1985
1986
1939
1956
1980
1993
1997
2007
2008
2013
Library is approved
March 1986
Second town meeting votes to establish the library. Frank & Betty Koller again offer to donate the building.
July 22, 1986
The first library board was sworn in, consisting of: Pauline Zeber (Chairman), Maxine Hall (Secretary), Robert Gunther, Toby Hyland, and Sue Carlson.
September 26, 1986
Ground breaking for library building.
December 22, 1986
Pauline Zeber appointed Librarian on a volunteer basis.
First Library Board appointed
May 28, 1956
On May 28, 1956, the town of Mercer appointed the first town library board, formalizing the town’s official sponsorship of the Mercer Public Library. According to minutes from the town’s meeting, the first members of Mercer’s Library Board were: Mrs. Russell Spears, Mrs. Leonard Scheels, Mrs. Herbert Bierle, Mrs. William Hiatt, and Mr. Paul Leitch.
Townspeople vote to build new library
May 1, 1993
In 1990 the Library board started exploring different options for the library. At the annual town meeting in May of 1993 the townspeople voted to build a new library and community center. After a lengthy investigation into the feasibility of the project, it was decided that there was not enough money to go ahead with new construction for the joint project. After much deliberation the town and library board determined that the vacant building that was formerly the community center and library was an excellent site. The original library room could be made into a reading room, and a new addition could be built to expand the library.
New library staff hired
October 5, 1997
Debbie Hohner was hired as children’s librarian and Renie Lawrence was hired as library assistant. Debbie would go on to serve as director of the Mercer Library for over 10 years.
New library director hired
September 1, 2008
After 10 years of dedicated service to the Mercer Library, Debbie Hohner took a new job as a teacher at Mercer School. Teresa Schmidt was hired as the library’s new director.