Appleton Public Library wins 2025 Wisconsin Library of the Year award for distinguished service

The Appleton Public Library was named 2025 Library of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association.

The award recognizes distinguished achievement in service for outstanding commitment to users, innovation and community impact.

Appleton spent nearly 17 years working to build a new public library. The effort culminated in February, when the city opened a newly renovated and expanded $40.4 million library at 200 N. Appleton St.

During construction, the library operated from two temporary locations: the former Best Buy store at 2411 S. Kensington Drive and the former Habitat ReStore at 3000 E. College Ave.

“Few institutions could withstand what APL has endured,” Common Council President Katie Van Zeeland said. “Our staff adapted through not one but two full relocations during construction, and they never wavered.”

While operating at the temporary sites, library staff found ways to reach new audiences and build relationships by creating a welcoming environment and working with partner organizations to provide programming opportunities throughout the city.

Staff also launched new initiatives to connect people, including job support programs and the Appleton Poet Laureate Program.

“This award honors both our staff, who have gone above and beyond to serve with creativity and care, and our community, whose trust and support make Appleton Public Library possible,” Library Director Colleen Rortvedt said.

The library will receive the 2025 Library of the Year award on Oct. 30 during the Awards & Honors Ceremony at the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference in Middleton.

Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @DukeBehnke.