Thursday, February 20, 2020

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership presented the Fond du Lac Public Library with their annual Downtown Legacy Award on Thursday, presenting library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse with a trophy during the partnership’s annual meeting at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.

The Legacy Award is given to businesses that have been located downtown for 50 or more years. The recipient is chosen based on contribution to the community and industry, business performance, innovative practices and challenges overcome.

From the partnership’s annual report: “The library has stayed relevant with the changing times by adapting to the needs of our community. … Over the years, the Fond du Lac Public Library has remained vibrant and ever evolving. Downtown Fond du Lac is fortunate to have such a gem in our community.”

The library has its roots in the downtown going back to 1877, when a women’s club bought a private collection and turned it over to the public in a small space on Main Street. Today’s library, with more than 200,000 items in its collection and 20,000-plus patrons, is a vibrant community gathering place with a central and pivotal role in the health and well-being of the community.