Library receives $120,000 gift, launches community challenge to support expansion campaign

The Rhinelander District Library (RDL) and the Rhinelander District Library Foundation (RDLF) have received a $120,000 donation to support the library’s ongoing capital campaign to renovate and expand its Carnegie building.
“In an inspiring act of generosity, the anonymous donor is inviting the community to rise to the occasion: take a Hodag bite out our $7 million goal!,” library officials said in a press release. “Every donation made from now through September 1, 2025, will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $120,000. The donor’s goal? To see our community meet this challenge with the same spirit that has defined Rhinelander for generations. The Summer Match Challenge is already gaining momentum. Charter Next Generation stepped up with a very generous $10,000 donation last Thursday, June 26. Charter Next Generation joins a growing list of local business champions including the AirPro Fan & Blower Company, Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, and countless individuals who believe in the power of a strong public library.”
“This project isn’t just about a building, it’s about improving a space regarded as the community’s living room – where every member, lifelong residents and visitors, can find connection, opportunity, and inspiration,” said Virginia Roberts, Director of the Rhinelander District Library.
The library has long been a cornerstone of the Rhinelander community. It began humbly in 1897 with just 600 books and a vision shared by Reverend Joseph H. Chandler and the GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club.
Over the past century, thanks to strong local advocacy and remarkable community pride, the library has grown its collection to over 81,000 items and welcomes more than 67,000 visits each year. But time has taken its toll. The 121-year-old building is now too small, outdated, and no longer meets the needs of the people it serves. There is no main-floor restroom, only one public meeting space, no private study rooms, and a severely undersized children’s area. Leaking windows and aging infrastructure underscore the urgent need for investment.

In June 2024, the library launched a $7 million capital campaign to restore and expand this historic treasure – transforming it into a modern, accessible, and welcoming hub for learning and community life.
With more than $1.2 million already raised, this summer’s matching challenge provides an incredible opportunity for individuals, businesses, and visitors to make their impact go twice as far, the release states.
To donate or learn more about the campaign, visit www.RDLfoundation.org.