Rib Lake Library unveils Adventure Corner

Community invited to virtual grand opening on February 2 for remodeled space emphasizing early literacy

With the help of grant funding and the efforts of local artists and businesses, the children’s section at the Rib Lake Public Library recently completed a major overhaul and is inviting the community to a virtual grand opening event.

People will be able to take part in The Adventure Corner virtual celebration through the library’s Facebook page or through the Rib Lake Public Library’s website at riblakepl.org. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Participants will be able to experience the space virtually and learn about literacy kits available in Rib Lake and through their partner library in Tomahawk. Participants will also have a chance to meet the artists and creators who helped make the space a reality, while having a chance at one of five door prizes.

According to library director Krista Blomberg the space was made possible as part of an Innovation and Collaboration Literacy Grant through the Wisconsin Library Service.

Blomberg explains that she partnered with the director of the Tomahawk Public Library to apply for the $20,000 grant which was awarded last year. The goal of the grant was to support literacy for all library users to create a space in their libraries where families can talk, read, sing, write, and play together. According to the WVLS, libraries are literacy centers in communities. Libraries fight the 30 million word gap and the summer slide with storytimes, summer programs, educational programs, activities, guest speakers, special programming, reader’s advisory, robust collections and more. Family literacy spaces filled with fun, activities focused on literacy, and quality information under the leadership of librarians, will enhance library offerings as a major literacy resource in the community.

A major component of the grant was collaboration between two libraries in the system. Blomberg said that she had known the director of the Tomahawk Library as a colleague for years but in working in collaboration with her on the grant they have grown to be friends and provide a valuable back and forth relationship between the libraries to share ideas and resources.

The two library directors worked with Ann Hamland of the WVLS through the grant project. Hamland previously served as the library director at the Frances L. Simek Memorial Library in Medford before going to WVLS to be their communication coordinator.

In Rib Lake, Blomberg used the grant funds to redevelop their children’s library space and in the process tie multiple learning stations together with an outdoors theme that would appeal to both children and their parents, grandparents and other adults.

The most dramatic change was the commissioning of artist Alise Swan of Swan Hill Creates in Ogema to paint a 17-foot mural on the area’s west wall. The logo incorporates a group of outdoors animals each symbolizing one of the five early literacy tools of sing, read, play, write and talk. Blomberg noted the Rib Lake area also has a growing Hispanic population and the signage and mural are in English and Spanish to make all families welcome. “All interactions help build literacy skills,” Blomberg said.

Other areas include puppets representing the animals in the mural and tied into the theme of the area. A library-friendly music area is in one corner where children and adults can make music together. There are also areas for interaction through writing and talking.

In addition, they have interactive kits that children will be able to use that include books and activities to promote literacy. Blomberg explained that the kits are shared with Tomahawk which allows for the two libraries to keep things new for patrons as they come into either location.

Blomberg said that she worked with local businesses and individuals whenever possible through the project. The Music Wall and signage was created by April and Jesse Schutt of Westboro. The Literacy Kit items with their Spanish details were done by Personalized Treasures LLC and Steve and Michelle Schreiner of Rib Lake. Mike Ecker of NorthPro Electric LLC of Westboro installed the special lighting for the area featuring brightly colored fixtures. Angelica Espinoza helped with providing the Spanish translations and Tina Nelson of Fourmens in Medford advised on the design.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in library buildings across the state limiting some inperson interactions, Blomberg said that virtual events such as the celebration for the new space are taking the place of these for now, but that she hopes things will be able to return to normal soon.