The Crookston Library was home to a grand re-opening and holiday open house Sunday evening. The event sponsored by the City of Crookston, The Friends of the Library and Lake Agassiz Regional Library thanked donors, supporters and staff for their efforts during the Library renovation over the past year.
During the event, Christine Boike director for the Crookston Public Library thanked the many people and organizations who assisted during the renovation including the Friends of the Library, Representative Deb Kiel, County Commissioner Gary Willhite, Otto Bremer Trust, Paul Gregg, City of Crookston and Shannon Stassen among many others.
Boike also thanked Lynn Willhite who was instrumental in the renovation project for the library. “None of this would have been possible without one women’s talent and time,” said an emotional Boike. “She has worked tirelessly right by side on her hands and knees giving up time with her husband and family. She has gone above and beyond and that’s Lynn Willhite. I’ll be forever grateful to you, because we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Phil Huck, president of the Friends of the Library, presented Willhite with a plaque as the Volunteer of the Year. The program also included messages from Liz Lynch, regional library director for Lake Agassiz Regional Library; Wayne Melbye, Mayor of Crookston; Lynn Willhite and a musical performance by Annie Fitzgerald.
The renovation encompassed improvements to the library’s teen area, sunroom, meeting room, and public restrooms and was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust with a further $25,000 in matching funds from the community including local businesses and organizations.
