About Us
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The Shawano County Library consists of the main library in Shawano, branches in Birnamwood, Bonduel, Mattoon, Tigerton and Wittenberg as well as a county-wide delivery service. The library serves nearly 42,000 residents.
The mission of the Shawano County Library is to offer access to information, materials and services that inform, inspire, enrich and entertain. |
The Shawano County Library is a member of the Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS). NFLS is a state funded organization that assists over 40 member public libraries throughout Northeast Wisconsin by providing improved library services. The Shawano County Library is also a member of the OWLSnet consortium, which provides an integrated library automation system to over 50 libraries throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
The Shawano County Library is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees comprised of two county board representatives, six county appointed municipal representatives and and one school district representative.
Library Policies
FAQs
How do I get a library card and what is the cost?
How old do you have to be to get a library card?
I don’t live in Shawano County- can I still get a library card?
What items are available to borrow from the library?
Does the library offer digital materials?
Does the library have computers to use? Can I print at the library?
Is the library wireless? Can I print from my mobile device?
What programs does the library offer?
- Library cards are available to anyone for free. To obtain a library card, please bring a picture ID and proof of your current address to the library. Replacement library cards are available for $3.00.
How old do you have to be to get a library card?
- Library cards are available to anyone, regardless of age. For minors under the age of 16, a parent or legal guardian must sign for the library card after showing a picture ID and proof of current address.
I don’t live in Shawano County- can I still get a library card?
- Yes!
What items are available to borrow from the library?
- The library offers many collections for patrons to borrow, including books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines. In addition, the main library offers the Library of Things, which is a collection of non-traditional items such as cake pans, knitting needles, portable movie screen, tools, sports equipment, and much more. Items available to borrow can be found here.
Does the library offer digital materials?
- Absolutely! The library has eBooks, digital audiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies, TV shows, and music available to checkout. You only need a library card!
Does the library have computers to use? Can I print at the library?
- Yes, each county library has computers available to use and for printing.
Is the library wireless? Can I print from my mobile device?
- Yes, each county library has wireless access. Remote and mobile printing is available at all libraries, except Birnamwood Branch.
What programs does the library offer?
- The library offers programs that inform, inspire, enrich, and entertain. Programs are offered for children, teens and adults on a monthly basis.
Library History
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Library Beginnings
The main library had a humble beginning in 1899 with 272 books in English and 65 books in the German language.
In 1914 the Carnegie Foundation granted $10,000 for a library building at 121 East Green Bay Street. The building also housed the City Clerk and City Treasurer in the basement, along with rooms for the Woman's Club meetings and other civic organizations. |
When county library service was started in Shawano County on November 1, 1934, it was unique not only in Wisconsin, but in the entire country. The idea of bringing the library to county residents through library stations in the villages and townships had never been tried before. As of August 1937 there were 17 branches of the Shawano Library.
Bookmobiles
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Shawano received one of three bookmobiles brought to the state by the Federal Government in 1939. This proved to be so successful that the Shawano City-County Library began a long tradition of offering service to remote areas through Bookmobiles. Future Bookmobiles arrived in 1941, 1954, 1959, 1965, 1972, and 1997. At times, rural library service was so active, two Bookmobiles operated simultaneously.
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The current delivery van was purchased in 2015 and operates 3 weeks a month serving nursing homes, child care centers, schools, assisted living facilities, headstarts, civic centers, family centers, and patrons with difficulty accessing the physical libraries due to time, distance, disability or other mobility concerns.
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Current Building~ Main Library
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In 1960 the current facility at 128 South Sawyer Street was completed. The Shawano County Library merged with the Nicolet Library System to provide greater services in book lending in 1976. A major remodeling and addition was completed in 1990. Square footage went from just under 12,000 to over 21,000.
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The computerization of the entire library was completed in 1996 enabling the library to become a member of OWLSnet, the Outagamie-Waupaca System's shared automation network.
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The main library and several branches qualified as recipients of a Gates Foundation grant in 2002, 2010, and 2011. The libraries are wireless throughout.
In 2014 a $4 million statewide grant installed fiber optic cable to increase bandwidth and improve Internet speed at the Shawano, Bonduel, Tigerton, Wittenberg and Mattoon locations.
In 2018 countywide library consolidation began eliminating the previous mixture of joint and municipal libraries in the county. Today, Shawano County Library consists of six libraries in Birnamwood, Bonduel, Mattoon, Shawano, Tigerton and Wittenberg along with a countywide delivery service.
In 2014 a $4 million statewide grant installed fiber optic cable to increase bandwidth and improve Internet speed at the Shawano, Bonduel, Tigerton, Wittenberg and Mattoon locations.
In 2018 countywide library consolidation began eliminating the previous mixture of joint and municipal libraries in the county. Today, Shawano County Library consists of six libraries in Birnamwood, Bonduel, Mattoon, Shawano, Tigerton and Wittenberg along with a countywide delivery service.
Friends of the Library
Who Are the Friends of Shawano County Libraries, Inc.?
The Friends of Shawano County Libraries, Inc. is a volunteer, community-based group whose mission is:
Visit the *new* Friends of Shawano County Libraries, Inc. website for more information about membership, volunteering, and donations: https://friendsofshawcolibraries.my.canva.site/
The Friends of Shawano County Libraries, Inc. is a volunteer, community-based group whose mission is:
- To give financial and volunteer support to Shawano County Library for programs and events that are compatible with the approved policies and objectives of the Shawano County Library.
- To solicit funds on behalf of the Shawano County public libraries for expenditures not included in the approved County annual operating budget.
- To provide a volunteer base to assist the staff at each library.
- To advocate for the use and growth of library services throughout Shawano County.
Visit the *new* Friends of Shawano County Libraries, Inc. website for more information about membership, volunteering, and donations: https://friendsofshawcolibraries.my.canva.site/
