Bekkum Memorial Library

Bekkum Memorial Library

The citizens of Westby has always felt the need and joy associated with a Public Library. On February 7, 1903, the Village Board held a council meeting and it was decided to start a library. A.H. Dahl, Village President, appointed the following library committee: Oluf Peterson, Attorney Lawrence Grimsrud, Reverend M. Gulbrandsen, Principal D.E. Smith, Mrs. A. Spellum, Mrs. A.H. Dahl, and Mrs. J.K. Schreiner. Donations were made and books were solicited. Working with the State Library Board, they started a legacy that has continued to this day — a public library for young and old.

The library was opened on February 14, 1903, one week after the board meeting. The Temperance Hall became its first home and the library committee had charge of lending the books. Some local grade school teachers and other interested citizens then took charge of the library up to 1916.

In 1916, the library was moved to the second floor of the new service building, located on the corner of West State and Market Streets. For forty-two years, patrons had to climb 27 steps to reach the library. The first floor was occupied by the fire department and the local jail. In 1958, the city council moved its office downstairs, thus providing extra library space which was used for a children’s room.  

After the fire department moved into their new station, it was decided to remodel the old one and make new quarters for the library. The second story was removed, and the first story was renovated. In the meantime, the library operated out of the former city hall of First Street. The new library was ready for occupancy in January 1969.

As the years passed, the number of patrons increased, and so did the need for more library materials. The library became overcrowded, and the need for a work area and storage space became acute. A citizens’ committee and the library board began working and dreaming of a new public library building and a community center. A public breakfast was held on March 23, 1985, kicking off the fund drive. A city referendum held on April 2, 1985, to borrow money for the project was defeated. The citizens’ committee and the library board remained optimistic, and the following words penned by Bertha Dahl, became an inspiration to keep the project moving ahead: “Dream with us, hope with us. Plan and work with us for a new library in the sometime future”.

A concentrated effort to continue the project was made. Many donations were given by local and area citizens, service groups, and former residents.

A site on North Main Street was purchased and Thern Associates of Waupaca was selected as the architects. On Monday, October 7, 1985, the ground breaking ceremony took place, and work began in earnest. The new library was dedicated on Sunday, August 17, 1986, with a full house in attendance. Now Westby had a community center and a fine new library named the Bekkum Memorial Library in honor of Alfred and Hulda Bekkum, parents of Owen (Dorothy) Bekkum, Rolf (Betty) Bekkum, Helen (Raymond) Russell, and Annette (Lester) Shaw.

The library is constantly growing; new patrons, additional books, magazines, cassettes, videos and DVDs. The library is part of Winding Rivers Library System. A summer vacation reading program is held, and a story hour continues throughout most of the year. Computerized operations began on September 7, 1992 and today the library offers computers for the public to use the internet.

Today, the Westby library as well as the resources of 20 other libraries may be reserved using the online database. Find the items you are interested in and then using your free Library Card, have these items delivered directly to the Bekkum Memorial Library where a staff member will call you when your items have arrived.

Library Directors over the years have been: Mrs. Malena Fredrickson, 1916-1932; Mrs. Herbert Neprud, 1932-1933; Mrs. Lillian Fremstad, 1933-1935; Mrs. Cora Ruud, 1935-1964; Mrs. Joan Dahlen, 1964-2000; Mrs. Darla Schroeder, 2000-2002; Cindy Brown has served since October, 2002.

The present board members are: President, Eric Leum; Secretary, Sandra Wardwell; Treasurer, John Sutton; Kris Strand, Kelvin Hanson, Mary Sue Ludvig, Mike Berg, Mary Ellen Mattison-Doerr and Carolyn Babcock. Sutton and Wardwell are appointed by the Vernon County Board, Berg represents Westby school district and Hanson is appointed by the city council.