Belleville Library Completes $150,000 Challenge Grant

The Belleville community has met the matching grant challenge from the Schlecht Family Foundation by raising $150,000 since February 1, 2018, for Belleville’s new Library and Community Center.
The combined community and foundation gift total of $300,000 brought the library’s capital campaign within $50,000 of the $1,000,000 goal.
“The Schlecht Family Foundation’s generous support of this important project is greatly appreciated,” said Library Board President Christine Belle. “Many from our community stepped forward to meet their challenge and double their donation to make a new, larger library in Belleville happen.”
The village plans to build a 13,700 square foot Library and Community Center at 20 S. Park Street, across from Library Park.
Recently approved schematic design phase floor plans include a community room with kitchen area, training room, expanded space for preschoolers through teens, quiet reading and local history area, makerspace, study rooms, and public computers. Additionally, there will be expanded floor space for materials shelving, comfortable seating, and library classes and programs for all ages.
“We look forward to reaching our capital campaign goal and doing the detailed design phase of the library over the next few months,” said Village Board President Roger Hillebrand.
Opportunities for people or businesses to give to the library to support a particular area or honor a special someone are still available. Information about the project and options for making a donation can be found at www.bellevillelibrary-wi.org/new-library or picked up at the current library at 130 S. Vine Street. Please contact Library Director Bronna Lehmann at (608) 424-1812 with any questions.