1967
Newly constructed 3,448 square foot Bud Werner Memorial Library opens its doors. Built in memory of local Olympic skier Bud Werner. Funding provided by donations and federal grant funds

1986
Voters approve a $575,000 bond issue to expand the building to 9,500 square feet.

1993-96
Growth in population, library use, staff, services, new technology and collection size (predominately non-print audio and video) begin to put pressure on the facility.

1996
Library staff prepares a Space Needs Assessment document to describe and quantify library space needs.

1996-97
Library Board hires David Smith, Library Building Consultant, Hopkins, MN, to review the Library’s current and projected space needs and prepare a study of the alternatives, re: How much space do we need? What can we do with the existing facility to extend its life and better utilize space? Can we expand the existing building? How big? If not, where do we go?

1997
As a result of David Smith’s recommendations, the library underwent an interior remodel. The 1,000 SF meeting room on the lower level was eliminated and converted to the children’s library as a short term solution to space needs.

1998
Library Board commissions local land use planner Martin Landers, MJ Landers & Associates, to prepare a site study and comparisons of three sites for library expansion: 1) the former site of the Routt Memorial Hospital 2) the Human Services Center site (old school site) and 3) the present site of the Bud Werner Memorial Library. As a result of the study, the old hospital site is eliminated.

1998-2000
Two other sites come under consideration for library expansion: CMC and the new Strings in the Mountains location.

2000
Board selects library architectural firm Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd., Minneapolis, MN, to complete site plans for top two site choices: the old school site and the existing library site.

2001
Site plans are presented to a community focus group; downtown location deemed most desirable (CMC and Strings sites considered too remote); school site defined as ideal for a public library.

2001-2002
Library Board negotiates acquisition of school property with School Board. Relocation challenges and projected costs make site unrealistic. City expresses interest in keeping Library on present site (site is actually owned by the City). Lockhart Property is listed for sale.

November 2002
Library District submits a pre-application to joint meeting of City Council and City Planning Commission to construct a new building on the site. Consensus is to keep library on existing site and move forward with plans,

December 2002
Library Board hosts community focus group to identify issues associated with building on the present site; 14 issues are identified.

Spring 2003
Library District purchases Lockhart Property on Lincoln Avenue at appraised price of $500,000.

Summer 2003
Library Board appoints Citizen’s Blue Ribbon Committee to represent the needs of the community in planning library facilities.

January/February 2004
Blue Ribbon Committee submits final recommendations to Library Board on need for a larger facility. Board accepts recommendations; appoints Site Planning Committee to determine the best plan for the site, the shared users of the site and the library. Site Committee begins work in early March 2003.

February 2005
Site Committee completes its work and recommends a 20,000 SF addition to the existing Bud Werner Memorial Library and relocation of the Community Center to Stockbridge Mutlimodal Center.

June 2005
Pre-application submittal on the above plan endorsed by the City Council. Library Board begins plans to fund the expansion via a G.O. Bond issue on the November 1, 2005 election.

November 1, 2005
Library District voters approve an $11.4 million bond issue to expand the existing library building and a 1 mill property tax increase to operate the expanded library.