By Anita Weier
Northside News
The organization that makes it possible for you to order books or other materials from around the state is coming to the Northside. The South Central Library System (SCLS) headquarters will be moving from its current location on Biltmore Lane on the far east side to 1650 Pankratz St., the former home of Lakeland University.
Martha Van Pelt, director of SCLS, said a work group has been planning a new headquarters and looking for an appropriate site for more than four years, a process hampered by the pandemic. Bids came in over the estimated amount for constructing a new building, so converting an existing building will help cut costs. However, the organization will still have to build an addition to house its materials delivery operation, which has been located elsewhere in Madison.
“We looked at the Shopko site on the Northside as well, but a storage company bought that site first,” she said. “This area is the most cost efficient for delivery vehicles to reach major highways.” Van Pelt added that “We rent two buildings now, and it will be more efficient to own and consolidate.”
The Lakeland building was purchased from Corben Lakeland LLC in December 2022. A $6.5 million loan was obtained from the state Board of Commissioners of Public Lands to cover the building purchase and construction of the delivery facility on the site.
During the April 25 groundbreaking ceremony, Dane County Board member and South Central Library System Board member Jacob Wright — who attended with his puppy, Butter — said he heartily supports the new project. “Dane County has your back,” he pledged.
Darrell Williams, assistant state superintendent for the Division for Libraries and Technology, said, “This will truly be an amazing facility that will meet the needs of people throughout the state. There should be a book for everybody in a community.”
Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, who chairs the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, said that, in addition to library week and library month in April, “Every day should be library day.” She expressed pride in helping provide the loan for the facility, and noted that the interest paid on the loan will be used to support public school libraries.