PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER — Reinbeck Public Library Director Lenah Oltman pictured next to the library’s new Giving Tree in early November. The Giving Tree is just one of the ways Oltman is hoping to fund a much-needed, three-phase remodel project designed to address both the 1991 addition and the original 1917 Carnegie building which houses the children’s library.

REINBECK — Lenah Oltman is ready to move the Reinbeck Public Library (RPL) forward and she has the plans to make it happen – all she needs now is the community’s continued support.

“The library’s addition was built 34 years ago, and no updates have been done since then. We’ve done all the sweat equity we can,” Oltman, the library’s director since 2022, said during a tour in early November.

As she spoke, she was standing near the library’s entrance located in the 1991 addition – an addition made possible at the time through community donations. Some three decades later, Oltman is hoping the community will step up again to fund the new Remodel Project.

“The purpose of the public library has changed significantly [over the years],” Oltman said. She then dove into the many ways both the original 1917 Carnegie building and its 1991 addition are falling short these days, including:

–“This building has no storage, there is stuff shoved everywhere. We’re using every nook and cranny. We’re literally using every space we have.”

–“There’s only one bathroom in this whole building – and it’s not ADA compliant.”

–“The addition is 34 years old. [New] carpet alone would make a huge difference.”

–“There are 10 to 15 kids that are here every day after school.”

–“A lot of the chairs are folding chairs.”

But one of the main reasons the library is in need of a makeover is due to the heavy amount of use the library experiences nowadays. According to a fundraising flyer mailed this past October, over the last four years, RPL has gone from hosting 45 programs annually (FY2021) to a whopping 365 (FY2024) – resulting in 11,000 more visits to the library each year. That’s a whole lot of people walking in and out of the building on nearly 35-year-old carpet.

Shortly after Oltman began her tenure, the library’s board of trustees spent $15,000 to hire Solum Lang Architects of Cedar Rapids to assess the building and create a master plan for renovations. The company produced a three-phase plan, dubbed the Reinbeck Public Library Remodel Project. Each phase is projected to cost roughly $100,000.

“I am very frugal. I am very organized. I don’t spend money that isn’t going to last [but] I needed a master plan,” Oltman said. “I told [Solum Lang], ‘I want the organization of [bookseller] Barnes & Noble and the vibes of [Cedar Falls coffee house] Cup of Joe, can you make that happen?’ And they did!”

The plan — split into chapters on a fundraising thermometer next to the library’s welcome desk — is already off to an epic start with more than 75% of Chapter 1: First Impressions funded. Construction is set to start in early 2026, Oltman said, and will include the welcome desk being moved from its center location to the left of the entryway by the southwest windows (in order to take up less floor space); construction of two new storage rooms for programming and library operating supplies – one at the back of the addition (near where Oltman’s desk sits now) and one in the southwest corner; current shelving being relocated; and current cupboards and countertops moved to the new storage rooms.

But most importantly, the floor will finally get a refresh with new carpeting.

Chapter 1 is being financed in several ways, Oltman said, including a $10,000 Carnegie Libraries 250 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

“Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries in the United States between 1886 and 1917. As part of the Carnegie Libraries 250 special initiative, his philanthropic foundation reached out to each library and established that about 1,280 still operate and acknowledge their link to Carnegie, making them eligible for the celebratory gift. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations,” the foundation wrote in a press release announcing the grants back in late October. “The gift recipients can expect to receive a check in January 2026. They may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further their mission, and benefit their community.”

Chapter 1 is also being funded by $40,000 in previously-saved, pooled donations and the new Giving Tree.

“I got the idea from Hudson [Public Library],” Oltman said of the Giving Tree – a beautiful, handcrafted wooden tree located on the wall between RPL’s small lobby area and the Community Cafe. On the tree’s branches rest colorful, handmade wooden books — each book representing a different donor who contributed $250 or more.

“The more money you give, the higher up your book is placed,” Oltman explained. “And the more people who donate, the more books on the tree. Our tree will constantly look different.”

On the day the newspaper visited in early November, the Giving Tree had already raised over $20,000 from some 24 donors in just the two weeks since fundraising letters went out. As of press time, the Giving Tree fund stands at $28,182.25.

Next chapters

While Chapter 1 has received the go-ahead, Chapters 2 and 3 are still in need of funding.

Chapter 2: Community Cafe will include updating the current, one-stall restroom to be ADA compliant; replacing the current cafe seating (mostly folding chairs) plus three of the five tables; bringing the building up to code by constructing a second restroom in the cafe; and replacing the concrete in the back room in order to enable the cafe sink to be properly plumbed alongside the two restrooms’ plumbing.

Chapter 3 will focus on the children’s library which is located upstairs in the original Carnegie building. Work on this chapter has already been partially completed, Oltman said, thanks to the generosity of local carpenter Jerry Shinn who replaced, at low cost, all of the children’s fiction shelving with new, user-friendly book browsing bins. Projects that remain to be completed include replacing the 108-year-old juniors shelving; replacing the 34-year-old carpet, including the stairwell; refreshing the paint and design of the treehouse; constructing a reading cubby; adding versatile, durable furniture designed specifically for children; and constructing a junior computer desk/charging station.

“The board already approved a $100,00 donation will give (said) donor naming rights of the children’s library,” Oltman said. The mural along the stairs leading to the children’s library as well as above the upstairs fireplace would also feature the donor’s name.

Those interested in donating to the RPL Remodel Project – which as of press time, stood at $78,182.50 – can drop off or mail checks to: The Reinbeck Public Library, 501 Clark Street, Reinbeck, IA 50669. Donations can also be made through Venmo (@ReinbeckPublicLibrary).

For more information on the Giving Tree, reach out to Oltman either during library hours (Monday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) or by calling 319-788-2652 or emailing reinlibr@reinbeck.net.

During Chapter 1 construction, which is set to last about two weeks, Oltman said she is going to “try very hard” to remain open. Patrons during that time will enter through the original Carnegie entrance on the east side of the building; for those who cannot navigate the stairs, curbside service will be available.

It’s certainly looking like full speed ahead for the Reinbeck Public Library’s next chapter — and hopefully soon, subsequent chapters will be written as well.