Library Donation Funds New Shelving After Blackduck Renovation

The Kitchigami Regional Library System approved the release of an $18,782 donation on December 18, allowing the Blackduck Community Library to buy shelving tailored to its updated interior. The donation originated from the estate of Darlene Bower and was originally received by KRLS in August 2022. Library leaders said the funds will be used to complement renovations at the Blackduck branch at 72 First Street E by providing storage and display that matches the branch layout.

The Blackduck renovation was financed through a combination of local sales tax revenues, KRLS capital funds, and a $200,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Work at the branch converted an underused office and a restroom into a multi purpose space equipped with updated technology and a family restroom. Those changes aimed to expand programming capacity and improve accessibility for families and patrons with varied needs.

For Beltrami County residents the shelving purchase is the final piece of a broader investment in rural library infrastructure. The custom shelving will help staff organize materials for expanded programs and technology use, and it will make better use of the reconfigured footprint created by the renovation. Small capital infusions like the $18,782 estate gift play an outsized role in finishing work that larger grants cover only in part, especially in smaller communities where equipment and furnishings must be adapted to legacy buildings.

The funding pathway at Blackduck illustrates a common funding model for rural library projects, combining local revenue sources, regional capital reserves, and state grant support. That blended approach helped secure a sizable $200,000 state grant while local contributions handled other costs, and the estate donation allowed the branch to complete interior outfitting. With the KRLS board approval in mid December, Blackduck patrons can expect new shelving to be installed as the final step in the renovation, improving service delivery and enabling expanded use of the library space going forward.