Waverly Public Library's “Make Room for Renewal” Campaign: A Community Triumph
The staff and Board of Trustees of the Waverly Public Library recognized the need for a transformation to better serve the growing and evolving community of Waverly, Iowa. Serving Waverly—a college town with just over 10,000 residents—meant creating a space that met the expectations of a modern, dynamic public space. With visits increasing by 167% over the past 25 years, the library had outgrown its original design. To address this, the "Make Room for Renewal" campaign was launched, aiming to expand and renovate the library to meet contemporary needs.
Identifying the Need for Renewal
Built in 1997, the current library building had not undergone significant changes, despite the rapid evolution of technology and community needs. The library had become a hub for technology and materials, and hosted over 1,100 programs annually. However, during peak times, it was noisy and overcrowded, limiting its ability to grow or expand programming.
Planning started with ReThinking Libraries (RTL) working with Meyer and her team to develop a strategic plan. “RTL conducted surveys, focus groups, and research to make sure we truly understood what the public wanted,” Meyer shared. One clear takeaway was the need for better zoning—quiet spaces for reflection and study, as well as active areas for teens and families.
The team also tackled issues like underutilized spaces and the library’s outdated layout. From there, RTL developed a space needs analysis, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive redesign. Recognizing that future costs would only increase and that grant funding was available at the time, the decision was made to embark on fundraising.
A Team Effort in Fundraising
Transforming the library would come with a price tag of $2.9 million, but the community rose to the challenge. The "Make Room for Renewal" capital campaign was initiated to fund the necessary expansion and renovation. Fundraising efforts included a $700,000 bond issue from the city, and the county contributed $25,000, making the library eligible for a Community Attraction and Tourism Grant of $375,000. Additional grants from various Iowa organizations totaled $600,000.
Over $1 million was raised through gifts and pledges from community members. Spearheaded by of Foundation President Deanna McCue, the campaign was a joint effort involving the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, library staff, and board members. Meyer credited the leadership of McCue and the support of consulting firm 1Vision Communications for the campaign’s huge success.
In total, the project received contributions from hundreds of donors, all of whom are recognized in a prominent lobby display. A scrolling donor wall has every donor’s name, including original gifts to 1997 building. In addition, a plaque designed to look like a bookshelf showcases names of donors over $1000 on the book spines.
Transforming the Library
Armed with funding, input from the community, and a solid plan, the library partnered with Studio Melee, a Des Moines architectural firm, to bring their vision to life. The construction, completed in December 2024, touched nearly every corner of the building, resulting in an environment that feels fresh, welcoming, and purpose-built for Waverly’s diverse patrons.
The centerpiece of the children’s area is a stunning 25-foot stainless steel “story tree,” an imaginative structure that doubles as a storytelling amphitheater. “The tree is especially meaningful to us,” Meyer explained. “It’s a memorial to Luke Frerking, a former employee who passed away young. Luke loved Tolkien and fantasy, and the artist incorporated Luke’s signature into the tree’s design, along with whimsical features like peepholes showing chipmunks having tea and rabbits cooking supper.”
Children’s spaces now feature face-out shelving for picture books, a play area with a baby garden for toddlers, and a fort-like canopy for older kids. Parents also have dedicated seating nearby, a change inspired by feedback during the planning process.
For teens, the library enclosed an underutilized patio to create a vibrant new hangout. This 1,000-square-foot space includes two large-screen TVs for gaming, Nintendo Switch consoles, and window seating perfect for lounging. “It’s amazing to see how popular the teen space has become,” Meyer noted. “On average, 32 teens visit every day. It’s proof that when you build with intention, the community responds.”
Quiet areas received just as much attention. A former conference room was transformed into a cozy fireside den with a double-sided fireplace and refinished furniture from the original Carnegie library. Meanwhile, the library’s local history collection—once tucked away in staff-only areas—is now proudly shown off in a special display cabinet.
A Model for Community-Driven Library Renewal
The success of the "Make Room for Renewal" campaign underscores the power of community involvement and strategic planning in library development. By aligning the renovation with the specific needs and aspirations of Waverly's residents, the library has reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of the community.
The impact of the renovation is already being felt. Patrons are enjoying updated meeting spaces, including acoustically improved large meeting rooms and a new small meeting room with mobile tables and chairs. Public restrooms were modernized to feel cleaner and more inviting, while the library’s service desks were redesigned to be more approachable.
“It feels good to see people using the spaces exactly as we envisioned,” Meyer reflected. “We’ve created an environment that truly supports our mission to be a welcoming, inclusive space for all.”
As Meyer aptly put it, "We’re not just a library. We’re a community hub, a place for connection and discovery."
For a visual overview of the campaign and its impact, check out the Make Room for Renewal website: https://www.makeroomforrenewal.org/.
