Spectators filled the childrens’ section of the New Ulm Public Library and lined the balcony before the dedication ceremony

New Ulm’s $1.2 million city library was praised as “federal revenue sharing at its best” by Walter Mondale, D-Minn. one of the men who helped make it possible.

Speaking at the dedication of the library Thursday, the senator said, “I will tell them in Washington the New Ulm story,about the beautiful building you built, and why revenue sharing should be extended.

“I am sure we will extend it.”

REP. THOMAS Hagedorn, R-Truman who attended the luncheon at the Country Club following the official dedication in the library, also applauded New Ulm’s use of $845,000 in revenue sharing over three years by putting it with local savings for a library.

“This is a fine example of how the federal government can be a helpful partner with the local government,” Hagedorn said.

He was not in Congress when revenue sharing was started five years ago, but said, “I plan to support extension of revenue sharing when it comes up later this year..”

He said southern Minnesota had received $17 million from revenue sharing.

A RIBBON cutting ceremony inside the library had Sen. Mondale cutting the ribbon.

When introduced by Mayor Carl Wyczawski, who asked if the senator would cut the ribbon, Mondale replied enthusiastically, “Yes, we cut tape in Washington all the time.”

The senator then paid compliments to the building, but said one thing was missing.

“I am told you have 55,000 volumes in here,but you don’t have a book by that renowned new author, Walter Mondale,titled “The Accountability of Power.'”

He presented Allen Dosland, president of the library board, a copy of the book.

Standing back with the library board members, Christine Dawson, city librarian, whispered: “I didn’t have the courage to tell him we had bought two copies of the book.”

IT WAS a comfortable turnout, maybe 200 people inside the building, built on four levels. There were all the city boards,library, public utilities, and councilmen who plugged the revenue sharing into local set-aside funds to get the building paid for by completion.

There were regional library officials and Marvin Melick, Mankato librarian and former New Ulm librarian.

The architects, Eugene Flynn and Eugene Freerks, hung over the railing from the top floor. H John Heymann and A1Tietel, the builders, admired their construction.

The library is finished. It’s open,starting 11 a.m. today, on a regular schedule. There’ll be open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.