Finding a good summer read can be difficult for rural residents.
"When I was a kid in Nebagamon, we had to go up to the Superior Library," said Sue Enright. "We had to pay to get a card, and none of us could afford it."
One of the village mothers, Marguerite Anderson, bought what became a community card.
"All us kids would go up, and we'd take 20 books at a time out," Enright said, with the help of Anderson's card.
Along with a few visits from the traveling Bookmobile, she said, "that was the only access we had."
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The Bookmobile took its last trip in 1999, leaving fewer options for rural youth.
The newly formed Friends of the Library hopes to give the community more than a card. In the center of the village, they hope to start a public library named for the late Imogene McGrath. It could open as early as summer 2008.
They already have a site to call home. Kathy Miller donated the former Lake Nebagamon Fitness Center, two doors down from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, to the Kids in Nebagamon organization with one stipulation.
"She wants it dedicated to children and families," said Coletta, a member of both groups. Kids in Nebagamon will lease the building to the library group for $1 a year.
Friends of the Library expects the facility will serve residents from Lake Nebagamon, Poplar, Highland, Bennett, Brule, Hawthorne and Maple -- a population of close to 8,500.
"It will either be a branch or it will be an independent library like Iron River's," Coletta said. Either way, it will be a public library eligible for tax support. There will also be a lending library and a media center for community members to use.
Solon Springs launched a branch of the Superior Public Library in 2000. The core collection for the library came from the then-defunct Bookmobile. In addition, patrons can order materials from Superior and more than 20 libraries in the Northern Waters Library System. Circulation at the site has risen from 4,892 in 2001, the first full year of operation, to 22,610 in 2006.
"The partnership with Solon Springs has been very successful," said Janet Jennings, director of the Superior Public Library. She encouraged Friends of the Library members to do a cost/needs assessment prior to starting a public library.
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The Solon Springs library is supported by both the village and town of Solon Springs, which contribute $1,800 apiece each year.
Jennings also encouraged the Friends organization to create a lending library, which is a collection of books available for anyone to borrow and return based on the honor system, with no cards needed. New titles are donated. Solon's lending library, started in 1987, has grown to include nearly 7,000 books.
Step one for the Friends is renovating the building, which is about the size of a three-stall garage. They hope to raise $10,000 for architectural design and state approval of the plans.
"We're well on our way to that," Coletta said, thanks to a number of pledges.
They also are seeking volunteers. "We're looking for local people to donate services -- electrical, carpentry, landscaping," she said. Fundraisers will include a book auction and wine tasting this summer and a gently used treasures sale next month.
The group is seeking donations for the sale, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16. Household items, knick-knacks, small appliances, furniture, DVDs, CDs, tape, CD and DVD players, sports equipment and toys in good condition are needed. To donate items, call Coletta at (715) 374-2283 or Swan Dawson, (715) 374-3101. Monetary donations can be made out to Friends of the Library and mailed to 11057 E. Waterfront Drive, Lake Nebagamon, WI, 54849.
