By Todd Schmidt

The Granton Community Library will be honored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) with a Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin School, libraries and Communities award during a special ceremony in Madison Friday, Feb. 1.

A welcome reception will be held at 10 a.m. at the Concourse Hotel, followed by an award ceremony at noon at the State Capital.

Granton District Administrator Charles Buckel nominated the Granton Community Library for the award.

“I consider this to be a very significant event for our school, community and the wonderful library we have,” Buckel said.

A grand opening of the merged Granton Community Library, located in the Interactive Media Center in the public-school building, was held Aug. 28, 2012.

The village of Granton Sampson Memorial Library joined forces with the public-school library in a venture that makes a great deal of sense for all parties involved.

“This is a wonderful thing that has been created thanks to the efforts of many hard working and forward-thinking people,” Buckel said during the Aug. 29 ribbon cutting ceremony.  “We are now able to share abilities and share funding in this merger, extending hours for the benefit of our students and community members.”

Sampson Memorial Library board member Roxy Eibergen called the merger “a huge visionary step for the community.”  She said space and access in the former downtown Granton location was limited.  She noted a substantial donation from the Margie Short family made the transition to the 2,700 square-foot community library possible.

“Patrons are now able to access computer space,” Eibergen said.  “We are ready for the next century.”