The $1.2 million, four-level library with room for 120,000 books, more than double the capacity of the old library, was dedicated Feb. 12, 1976 with a ceremony that included Minnesota Democratic Sen. Walter Mondale and Minnesota Republican Rep. Thomas Hagedorn.

Mondale praised the library as “federal sharing at its best.” He was one of the men who helped make it possible.

“I will tell them in Washington about the New Ulm story, about the beautiful building you built, and why revenue sharing should be extended. I am sure we will extend it,” Mondale said.

Federal revenue sharing is a fiscal policy where the federal government allocates funds to state and local governments with little or no strings attached, enabling them to manage their budgets more independently.

New Ulm Library exterior 50 years ago.

Hagedorn 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. “I plan to support extension of revenue sharing when it comes up later this year.”

After cutting a ribbon, Mondale presented New Ulm Public Library Board President Allen Dosland with a copy of his new book “The Accountability of Power.”

Library builders J. John Heymann and Al Tietel admired their construction at the dedication that included several hundred people.

The City of New Ulm received $818,732 in federal revenue sharing over four years. The funds came in yearly allotments and was invested, yielding $27,638 in interest before it had to be spent. All but $1,000 of $846,370 in federal money plus interest was spent on the library.

The July 18, 1974 New Ulm Public Library groundbreaking ceremony includes front row, from left, Arthur Wiest and James Beecher. Second row, James Seifert, Carl Crane, Christine Dawson, Carol Seifert, Esther Radtke. Third row, Dr. Von Bank, W. F. Huevelmann, William Gafford, Carl Wyczawski, Steve Baloga, George Germann, Monica Donelly, (architect) Mr. Freerks. Fourth row, Richard Salvati, Roy Rewitzer, Roger Schnurrer, Harold Hippert, Terry Dempsey, John Mowan, (St. Paul engineer MR. Lindell), Eldor Wilfahrt, John Heymann, Eugene Flynn, James Southworth.

The balance of money for the library, $324,630, came from local property taxes levied over the past few years and put into a capital improvement sinking fund.

New Ulm Public Library Director April Ide said recent improvements included an updated memory lab that allows patrons to convert family memories to current formats.

“We have equipment to digitize documents, photographs, negatives, slides, audio cassettes, VHS and Betamax tapes, reel-to-reel audio, 8 mm and Super 8 film, camcorder tapes, phonographs and 3.5-inch floppy discs,” Ide said.

Equipment and four study rooms were purchased with a $250,000 Mellon Foundation grant.

Ide said the public is invited to reserve a study room or make a memory lab appointment. There is no cost to use the memory lab, but patrons will need to provide their own device (thumb or flash drive or memory stick) to store digitized files. Library staff are happy to answer questions when appointments are made.

U.S. Sen. Walter Mondale holds his new book, “The Accountability of Power” at the New Ulm Public Library dedication Feb. 12, 1976.

For more information, visit newulmlibrary.org.

New Ulm Public Library Director April Ide stands outside the memory lab and study rooms recently added with a $250,000 Mellon Foundation grant. The lab allows community members to digitize and preserve personal archival materials.