McIntosh Memorial Library Announces Grant Awards

Vernon County of Wisconsin LogoThe McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua has been awarded three grants to support programming, outreach, and collection development efforts by the library staff. All three grants were secured in fall 2024.

The library secured a nationwide grant funded by the Public Library Association (PLA) to offer workshops to residents interested in learning about using a computer, cell phones, or how to safely browse the internet. The workshops will be offered in spring 2025.

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world.

The library also secured an Ideas to Action grant from WiLS to enable the library to construct a mobile demonstration kitchen. The primary goal is to use the kitchen at the Viroqua Farmer’s Market to highlight seasonal produce and how to cook with it. The library will partner with producers and local chefs for the cooking demonstrations. This educational opportunity will provide practical tips and ideas on how to work with produce they purchase. For example, how to make an omelet using locally sourced eggs, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms.

WiLS (formally Wisconsin Library Services) is a non-profit membership organization that facilitates collaborative projects and services to save members time and money and to advance library service, primarily in the state of Wisconsin.  Most members are libraries, but work also happens with cultural institutions, government agencies, and other non-profits to develop partnerships and projects.

Lastly, a grant was awarded to the library by the Vernon County Opioid Prevention and Abatement Steering Committee. To date Vernon County has received $450,702 in payments and the schedule of payments shows the county will receive as much $1.35 million by 2038, if the payments continue.

The money awarded to the library will be used to purchase new items for the collection, develop unique programming and training opportunities for library staff in Viroqua and Vernon County, and develop a Community Resource Station inside the McIntosh Memorial Library. The station will provide people with educational resources about opioid prevention, harm reduction, and other topics of importance.

The McIntosh Memorial Library was named the “Best Library in the State of Wisconsin” in 2023. The library is an inspiring beacon of lifelong learning, bringing knowledge alive, sparking imagination, and creating possibility for a vibrant and creative Viroqua.

More News…

Help us plan for the future

We need to hear from you!Please take a moment to complete our survey as we're updating our strategic plan.   Please do your part and complete the survey by Monday, February 17.   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/McIntoshMemorialCommunitySurveySocialMediaLink

New Youth Services Director

Emilia is delighted to join the McIntosh Memorial Library team as the new Youth Services Director. Hailing from her hometown of North Branch, Minnesota, she brings a strong foundation in education and library science. Recently earning her master’s degree in Library...

Introducing an Exciting New Puzzle Exchange Program

Bring a Puzzle, Take a Puzzle, Repeat! The McIntosh Memorial Library is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new program designed for puzzle lovers of all ages. The Puzzle Exchange offers an opportunity for community members to bring in puzzles they no longer...

Get an E-Library Card

Don't have a library card & want to try all the fabulous FREE online resources? E-Library Card Registration is NOW available! https://www.wrlsweb.org/e-library-card-registration-form/

Now You Can Print From Your Device!

All you have to do is scan the QR code on the print guide poster located near the printer, and you are ready to print. Working at home and need to print? Go here and enter the library's printer ID you can receive when you call and talk to our friendly staff. Your...

Explore Wisconsin State Parks and Forests

New at your library! While supplies last, you can check out a day pass to Wisconsin's state parks and forests with your library card. Explore our state parks and forests and make memories all year long!