Join us for the Door County Historical Society's annual endowment fund program!

Starting at 11am, we will be joined by Dixie Jorns. Dixie will address how libraries became an important institution in Door County. She will explain how the early settlers for Door County experience profound isolation from materials in print and how the amazing efforts to bring books to loggers, students, farmers, and families led to a quest to establish a permanent home for a growing collection of books that would give access to all. After housing the collection in various locations, Andrew Carnegie was contacted and urged to contribute to the construction of a permanent structure. The old Sturgeon Bay Library (located on Michigan Street) became that home.

Dixie started working in the Door County Library System as a volunteer in 1988 and immediately loved the work and atmosphere. She jumped at the chance to become a sub when the offer came along and the rest, as they say, is history.

After lunch at 12 noon, Tina Kakuske will present The Door County Library: From Carnegie to the 21st Century.

The 20th century was a time of great change in public libraries throughout the   United States. Public library service in Sturgeon Bay and Door County expanded  during this time, resulting in mid-century crowding and lack of space at the Sturgeon Bay Library. The beautiful Carnegie library building could not keep up with public demands and evolving services, and change was in the air. Step back into library history and hear about plans that changed, partnerships that were forged, and how people worked together to make a dream come true in 1974. As the Door County Library navigates the 21st century, change is once again in the air as technology and expectations unknown in the 1970s mean creative thinking will be required to continue to meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Tina is the Director of Door County Library, in addition to overseeing the Door County Archives and Historical Museum. She is very interested in preserving the history and legacy of the Door County Library while looking toward the future of  library service.

The menu for this luncheon program is a soup, salad, and sandwich buffet featuring 2 chef's choice soups, mixed green salad with toppings and dressings, mini deli sandwiches, freshly baked rolls, cookies, and beverages.

The deadline to register is February 21st.