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In 1953, area residents saw the need for a public library to serve the growing communities of Mequon and Thiensville and received a commitment from the two municipalities to pay the rent on a building to be used for a library. The Library was managed by volunteers until 1955 when the first director was hired. The Library continued to grow, and in 1956, 700 square feet were acquired at 188 South Main Street in Thiensville, and another 600 square feet was made available in 1967. In 1958, the Library was placed on the tax rolls of the two municipalities, and it continues to exist as joint library.
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In 1969 Mr. Frank L. Weyenberg, president and treasurer of the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Company, telephoned Mayor James Eagan of Mequon, and said that he and his wife, Helen, had been talking about Mequon. We thought it would be rather nice if Mequon and Thiensville could have their own library. We would like to donate the funds to build one. The announcement of the gift was made in December of that year.
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A site was chosen that was close to Thiensville and to the Mequon City Hall. Ground was broken in June 1970, and the Georgian style building was dedicated on August 22, 1971. Mrs. Weyenberg told reporters that she and her husband had always wanted to leave a legacy, and decided on a library. They felt that a library would benefit all 12,110 residents of Mequon and the 3,182 of Thiensville.
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The original structure was designed by Kloppenberg and Kloppenberg Architects to hold 60,000 volumes in 15,400 square feet. Total cost was $489,413. The new library would be known as the Frank L. Weyenberg Library.
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In 1989 plans were begun to expand the building that had reached capacity. Engberg Anderson Architects was hired to design a 30,000 square foot addition costing $3,280,000. Construction began in April 1993 to September 1994, and the expanded building was dedicated on September 18, 1994.
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In 2003 the Library Foundation spearheaded an Anniversary Fund commemorating fifty year of library service. The purpose was to create a fund whose sole purpose was to enhance the materials collections. Contributions to this fund are still being accepted.
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Today the Frank L. Weyenberg Library continues under a joint library agreement between Mequon and Thiensville and serves the combined populations of 30,000. The Library continues to receive tax monies from both communities for its annual operating budget, and both communities are represented on the Board of Trustees governing body. Its collections number 140,000 items. Over 340,000 items are borrowed annually.
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