History of the Library

Verona Public Library Timeline

The Verona Public library sits amidst beautiful prairie grasses and flowers in the native land of the Ho-Chunk people. We respectfully recognize this land as indigenous land with rich heritage and gratefully acknowledge the Native Peoples who once lived here and continue to live here today. 

Early 1940’s 

• Verona’s population: 535 people

1947

• Alice Kunstman, of the American Legion auxiliary, requests Verona’s Village board to start a library. The village denied this request.
• Kunstman starts a small library with books from Wisconsin traveling library at community get-togethers once a week. She has great success.
• Alice Kunstman again approaches the village board about starting a library. The Village approves this request providing lights, heat, and building space (half of the vacated Bank of Verona). The American Legion auxiliary were responsible for maintaining the library. To offset the cost of the $15 a month rent they lease out the space during the day to a lawyer and a gentleman who give accordion lessons.

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1957

• The library is turned over to the Village and becomes an official city organization with Clara Williams as the director. The library is open 4 hours a week.

1966

• Verona Library becomes a member of the Dane County Library System as well as the South Central Library System.
• In November, the library moves to a store front on S. Main St and increases its hours to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 7 – 9 pm, and Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 3 – 5 pm

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1968

• On December 17^th, work begins on the new building for the library, a 3,500 square foot building on E. Harriet St.

1969

• In May, the new library opens with 7,500 volumes and Shirley (Gutknecht) Knodle as director.

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Alice Kunstman, May 24, 1969

1980

• The Friends of the Verona Public Library is established

1988

• The library expands from 3,500 to 12,000 square feet.
• On May 1^st, Beverly Cannady becomes director.
• On October 2^nd, grand opening celebration of the library expansion takes place.

1989

• Verona Public Library is awarded “Library of the Year” by South Central Library System

1990

• Jacqui Rockweiler awarded Trustee of the year by the Wisconsin Library Association

1994

• On October 6^th , LINKcat system begins.

1995

• July 21^st is Beverly Cannady’s last day.
• On August 7^th, Mary Griffith becomes director.

2004

• In January, city of Verona council agrees that the library needs a new building.
• On November 23^rd Susan Hedrick becomes Director.

2005

• On June 21^st, ground breaking for the new library designed by Dimension IV, takes place.

2006

• On May 1^st, grand opening for the new library, takes place.

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2008

• In June, Brian Simons becomes director.

2011

• In October, the Service Desk area is remodeled and the library adds the automated handling system, first in the South Central Library System, to utilize RFID technology.

2013

• Verona Public Library is awarded “Library of the Year” by Wisconsin Library Association.

2015

• In May, Stacey Burkart becomes director.
• In October, start fundraising $100,000 for endowment with Madison Community Foundation.

2016

• In May, inaugural “Word on the Street 5K” fundraiser for the library endowment.

2017

• In April, library meets $100,000 endowment fundraising goal.
• Steve Runde awarded Trustee of the year by the Wisconsin Library Association