The Hanska library has served the community of approximately 400 people since 1984. Throughout its four decades, the library ran through grassroots community support. The library founders Karen Kayer and Kathy Wellmann served as the first directors without pay throughout their tenure. When the library first started, the city of Hanska provided space in the community center, but gathering and paying supplies was covered entirely by Rayer and Wellmann. Years later, the city would start funding the library.

Rayer and Wellmann’s original vision was to create a gathering place for Hanksa’s children to read, to play and socialize during summer break.

This vision is still shared by the current library director, but unfortunately funding still remains an issue.

In October 2023, The Hanska Library Board was told the city would no longer fund the library after 2024. The library would need to seek funding elsewhere if it was to continue.

Interim Library Director, Angela Pick checks out one of photo albums among other books inside the Hanska Community Library.

During the Dec. 11 Hanska City Council meeting, City Clerk Cinnamon Moldan said to close the library, the city would need to put the issue on the 2024 ballot. The library’s bad news continued to pile on when Library Director Amy Byro resigned later that month.

Things were looking bleak going into 2024, but over the last three months things have taken a turn for the better.

On Jan. 8, 2024, Angela Pick volunteered to take over as the library’s interim director, for free.

Only a few months earilier, Pick filled a vacant position on the library board. She said her first meeting with the board was Nov. 2023. In joining the board she intended to introduce the idea of an after school program.

“I knew there was a need for another after school program in Hanska,” she said. “The library already existed, the program would not need to be built from scratch.”

Shannon Mosenden and Nadia Goblirch work on an arts and craft project at the table. On the floor, Annabella Penkert and Courtney Harris play with some of the library toys.

Then after attending her first meeting, she was informed the library was likely going to close by 2025; possibly sooner if no interim director could be found.

Pick realized she would need to step-up as an interim director to keep the library afloat for at least another year.

The city council agreed to appoint Pick as interim library director, but she was asked how she planned to turn things around at the library, which had seen low attendance.

Pick said her first action as director was to change library hours. The previous library hours were 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since the library closed before school let out, kids were unable to use it. Pick said the limited hours only worked for a few people.

Since January, library hours have changed to 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pick said as soon as the hours changed, attendance increased. She said from Feb. 1 to April 1 of 2023, there were 102 visits. Following the change, during the same two months, attendance was 501. Many of those attending the library are kids, which was Pick’s goal.

She believes Hanska need a safe place like the library to go after school and before parents get home.

“There is so much the library can be,” Pick said. “It’s not just books, it is a free space. It can be whatever you need.”

Sometimes kids need a place to quietly decompress from the school day. They can come to the library and quietly read a book. Others needs some kind of structured activity.

“I don’t have to be a teacher,” Pick said “but I can meet the needs of the kids.”

Pick shared a story of two boys who visited library and learned how to make a flyer for their lawn mowing business they wish to start this summer. A copy of the flyer hangs on the library tag board.

“Teachable moments like this happen every day,”she said. “I think Hanska needs the library.”

Pick is not alone in this sentiment. Earlier this month, the Hanska City Council held a special community meeting to determine the future funding of the library. Over 60 people filled the meeting room and overwhelmingly supported continued funding for the library, even if it increases taxes.

Former Hanska Library Director Darlene Nelson continues to be one of the strongest supporters of the library. She retired as director in 2018, but still gives it all her support.

“I am a reader,” Nelson said. “I cannot manage without a library”

She agreed with Pick, the library was needed for the youth, but said older residents need it too.

“Not everyone can drive to New Ulm to visit the library,” she said.

Some senior citizens do not drive. In addition, some have limited access to computers at home. “Seniors use it too.”

Library patron Shannon Mosenden said she appreciated that the library could be a gathering place for kids who don’t necessary go to the same school. Hanska kids attend three different New Ulm schools, Madelia and St. James.

“it’s place for all the kids to interact,” Mosenden said.

The future of the Hanska library is not clear. Despite the community support for funding during the April 2 informational meeting, the city is still considering putting the library funding on the referendum in November. If the referendum does not pass, the library will need to find additional funding sources outside the city.

Though the future of the library is uncertain, Pick has a vision of what the library could be.

“I would like to expand the space, but also look at the community needs,” she said. “I think there is a need for more toddler programming, but also computer programming for adults.”

Nelson said adult social programming could be a benefit to the library.

Pick said a recent funding change she implemented was seeking 501c3 nonprofit status for the Friends of Hanska Library association. Hanska library had a Friends of the Library group for years, but the organization was never a full nonprofit. By acquiring nonprofit status, Pick is hopeful they can apply for and receive more donations.

The Friends of the Hanska Library group is promoting a Hanska Spring Fling event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at the Hanska Community Center. The event will include multiple vendors, a silent auction and lunch. Free will donations will be accepted. Proceeds from the silent auction and food will benefit the library.

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