Library Expansion Capital Campaign

Click image to donate through Lake Mills Area Community Foundation

L.D. Fargo Library is one on the most-visited places in Lake Mills. The exterior of the building is iconic, and its location across from the park is ideal. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful library buildings in the state.
But the interior does not match the exterior; it does not meet the needs of our community’s residents, especially its children.  Full information on the expansion project and most up-to-date designs are here.

 

It is time to renovate and expand with a cost-effective plan.  

The Library Board of Trustees has approved a single-story project with a $5 million maximum budget; this includes design, engineering and pre-construction expenses. The plans have been scaled down to be more cost-effective, but they add the spaces that are most needed:  

  • an expanded Children’s Area that will be bright and airy, rather than in the basement where it is now. This will allow for expanded Talk Read Play programming that is not possible in the current space.  
  • a Young Adult/Teen Area  designed specifically for our community’s young people 
  • Meeting Rooms of several sizes 

 Construction is targeted for 2026, contingent on a successful capital campaign. 

Budget: $5,000,000 total maximum cost approved by the Library Board 

$2,500,000 committed by the City of Lake Mills in August 2025 

$2,500,000 “Build on a Legacy” capital campaign  

 In April 2025, an Advisory Referendum on the question of whether the City should authorize borrowing and expenditure of up to $2,500,000 for the library renovation and expansion was on the ballot; it was approved with a strong vote.  

 In August 2025, the Lake Mills City Council approved a capital expenditure of up to $2,500,000, contingent on a successful capital campaign. 

We are at an important historic moment where bold thinking will determine Lake Mills’ future. The Library project is a public private partnership that is an opportunity to pay it forward and create a place that strives to bring people together for common goals, beckons newcomers, fosters the growth of our youth, and enriches the lives of our mature citizens.  

The “Build on a Legacy” Campaign:  

 The Lake Mills Area Community Foundation is a 501 c 3 not-for-profit organization that is serving as the fiscal agent for the library’s capital campaign. All gifts are tax deductible.  

 There are many ways to make a gift to the library’s renovations. Members of the Campaign Committee, co-chaired by Pam Streich and Wendy Brockert, are happy to discuss them with you. Gifts can be made with 3 year pledges. Naming opportunities are available for many areas in the expanded and renovated library. Every gift is an important step toward making these much-needed renovations possible; all gifts are deeply appreciated. There are opportunities for everyone in Lake Mills and the area Townships to participate.  

 For additional information contact Gerard Saylor, Library Director at gerardsaylor@lakemills.lib,wi.us 

Naming opportunities are available for both new construction and remodeled areas. This list is updated as frequently as possible. May 8, 2026 update.

Library Expansion Capital Campaign

Want to donate to the Library’s building expansion project? You can donate to the library itself or through the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation. The Foundation provides several methods to donate. The most popular are listed below.

  • Library donations.
  • Lake Mills Area Community Foundation also accepts checks. Include complete donor information and reference to the appropriate LMACF fund – Library Improvement Fund #5103
    • Please make sure that any checks are marked as being for the Library’s campaign.
      • Checks can be mailed to the Library (address above) or the LMACF: PO Box 33. Lake Mills, WI. 53551.
    • Wire transfers: Badger Bank will provide the direct wire instructions to the financial institution upon request.

Gifting Methods to the Capital Campaign

The LD Fargo Library “Build on a Legacy” Capital Campaign, in partnership with the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation (LMACF), offers several ways for you to support our exciting library expansion.  While many areas will be improved, our primary focus is the Children’s Library Project, which aims to create a bright, airy space above ground to replace the current basement location.  

Donate Today:   

 Please complete a gift/pledge form with your donation details.  Forms are available at the library and online at https://www.lmacf.org/funds.   

  • There are committee members available to discuss specifics and answer any questions.    
  • The LMACF is a 501(c)(3) organization so your contributions may be fully tax-deductible. 

 Pledge Over Multiple Years: You may make a multi-year pledge.  We hope to complete construction by 2027 and encourage all pledges to be fulfilled by then.  If you have unique circumstances, please contact us to discuss the timing of your gift. 

Recognition Opportunities: Leave a legacy for yourself, your family, or your business by naming an area in the library.  Naming opportunities are available at various giving levels; please refer to the separate document “Recognition Opportunities for L.D. Fargo Public Library” for current options. 

Ways to Make Your Gift: 

 Cash/Check: Donate directly to the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation.  Please note that your donation is for the LD Fargo Library. 

  • Payee: Lake Mills Area Community Foundation (LMACF) 
  • Address: PO Box 33, Lake Mills, WI 53551 

 Online Donations: Make a one time or recurring gift via PayPal.  Transaction fees apply; donors may choose to cover these costs. 

 

 

  • Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)*: Starting at age 73, individuals must take annual withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts.  You may direct your RMD to be made payable to LMACF for the L.D. Fargo Library Expansion Fund. 

 

  • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)*: Individuals over age 70.5 may donate up to $100,000 per year directly from a traditional or Roth IRA, possibly satisfying RMDs without including the distribution in income.  

 

  • Securities, Real Estate, or Other Assets*: Donating appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate, may provide a tax deduction for the market value and avoid capital gains taxes.  The deduction is based on the asset’s value on the date of transfer.  Please contact a committee member for instructions.  

 

  • In-Kind Vendor Donations*: Businesses may coordinate with our architects for in-kind donations of goods or services.  Recognition will be provided.  Initial discussions can be arranged with a committee member as part of the Spring 2026 bidding process.   

 

* Please see your financial or tax advisor regarding the rules and tax benefits of making these types of planned gifts. 

 Thank you for considering a gift to the LD Fargo Library. Your support helps us build a brighter future for our community. 

  • 100+ Extraordinary Women: It’s not too late to join in this inspiring program!  By donating $1,000, you can add your name to the list, honor a remarkable woman in your life, or memorialize someone special.  Learn more at: https://100extraordinarywomen.com/ld-fargo-public-library