In 2019, the Aram Public Library had room for only 23% of the requests to use its community meeting room. That figure explains the building opening at 404 E. Walworth Ave. on Saturday, November 14 better than any rendering does. The new Delavan Public Library will have more shelves, but the project is mostly about space. It adds rooms that local groups can book, and it gives the original 1908 building a new tenant upstairs. Downtown's calendar for the next month already depends on that extra space.
A building planned around a space shortage
The Aram building was completed in 1908, and its last major expansion was in 1991. Since 1999, children's and adult programming has grown 77%, according to the library's figures as reported by The Gazette. That outlet also listed what the project set out to fix: crowded meeting space, too little indoor programming room, limited parking, aisles too narrow for strollers and wheelchairs, and no quiet place to study.
The answer is a single-floor addition of 21,074 square feet, connected to the south side of the original building. Old and new together total 32,724 square feet, according to the library's expansion project page. FEH Design was the architect, and Corporate Contractors, Inc. was the general contractor. Ground was broken on July 19, 2025.
The library's latest posted cost estimate is $11.3 million. That figure dates to 2024 and covers design, construction, furnishings, financing costs and contingency. City capital funds and the Delavan Aram Public Library Foundation's fundraising commitments came to about $2 million. A USDA Rural Development Community Facilities loan, with its rate locked at no more than 2.5%, covers the rest. In May 2026, the City announced an $800,000 Wisconsin Non-State Grant award for the project. Named supporters include the Kunes Family Foundation, which pledged $450,000 over three years, and the Otto Bremer Trust. The Trust's $115,000 grant went toward buying the property south of the library that the project needed.
What the new space is for
The biggest change is the meeting room. Fully opened, it seats 140 people. A soundproofed flexible wall separates it from the children's storytime room, so two programs can run at the same time. The library says local organizations and businesses can use the room for meetings and trainings, and both rooms will be bookable through its event scheduling platform. The room is also set up for presentations, movies and author events.
Compare that with 2019, when most requests for the old room were turned away. A 140-seat room that local organizations and businesses can book gives them a public meeting space downtown.
The rest of the addition follows the same idea of giving people places to sit and work:
- The Garage, a makerspace for youth, families and caregivers, with extendable power strips hanging from the ceiling so the floor stays clear for projects
- Four study rooms
- A computer area with remote workspace
- A larger teen area
- An outdoor programming patio
- Solar roof panels and new HVAC in an energy-efficient single-floor layout
There is a fireplace too. The open house uses it as the meeting point for guided tours.
The 1908 building keeps working
The original brick library is being restored, not demolished. The library staff and the Friends of the Library will use the lower floor. The upper floor goes to the Delavan Historical Society. The renamed Delavan Public Library will keep the Aram name on the front of the building facing Walworth Avenue, and a donor area inside will recognize the Aram family and earlier donors.
That arrangement links the library to the downtown calendar. The Historical Society is one of the nonprofits at the November 14 open house. One week later, the downtown Holiday Wine Walk raises money for the Delavan Historical Society's Relocation Fund.
Getting in: the new entrance is on 5th Street
People who have walked into the Aram building from Walworth Avenue for years should note the change. The open house ribbon cutting is at the 5th Street entrance off the parking lot, and the library's October newsletter lists that as the parking-lot entrance for 404 E. Walworth Ave. The new lot has been poured. An island in the lot will hold the book drop, so you can return books on the way from your car to the door.
Before construction, the plan was a main entrance on 4th Street. The 2026 materials send visitors to the 5th Street lot instead. The library asks guests to allow extra time on opening day and has posted additional parking options.
Saturday, November 14, by the hour
The library's open house release lays out the day:
| Time | What's happening | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Ribbon cutting with City officials, trustees and community leaders | 5th Street entrance, parking lot |
| 10:30 a.m. | Remarks from Mayor Ryan Schroeder and other speakers | Meeting Room |
| 11:00 a.m. | Grand opening celebration begins; Carole Jean performs | Meeting Room |
| 1:00 p.m. | ASL and Spanish-language tours | Meet at the fireplace |
| 1:30 p.m. | Jenny Hundt performs | Meeting Room |
| 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Five-minute art portraits by the Teen Advisory Board | Teen Area |
| 2:00 p.m. | Second round of ASL and Spanish-language tours | Meet at the fireplace |
| 4:00 p.m. | Celebration ends |
There will be Lego drawings in the Youth Department, Teen Area and Public Computer Area, a Lego glasses giveaway in The Garage, and book bags in the computer area. Cookies come from Spooks & Sprinkles, a local bakery. Drawing winners will be announced Monday, November 16. You can also trade your library card for a new limited-edition design created by community members.
The nonprofit tables show who is likely to use the new rooms. They include Open Arms Free Clinic, S.M.I.L.E.S., United Way of Walworth County, the Walworth County Health Department, Walworth Literacy Council, ADRC, WIC, the Delavan-Darien School District, the regional directors for Destination Imagination, and the Delavan Historical Society.
According to the October newsletter, full service starts the Monday after the open house, which is November 16. The library's move page notes that dates may change while furniture and equipment are installed. Posted hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed Sundays.
After the ribbon, the downtown calendar fills in
Downtown's holiday events start one week after the library reopens, and several of the season's events support the same organizations it serves:
- Delavan Holiday Wine Walk, Saturday, November 21, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Check in from 3 to 5 p.m. at American Legion Post 95, 111 S. 2nd Street. Tickets are $36, nonrefundable, and the event is 21 and over with photo ID. This year's tasting passport features American wines for the country's 250th birthday, at more than 10 downtown stops. Proceeds support the Delavan Historical Society's Relocation Fund and the Delavan Historic Foundation's public art projects. Ugly sweaters are encouraged. Details are on Visit Delavan.
- Small Business Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Delavan.
- Christmas Tree Lighting, Comet Caroling and Parade Around the Park, Friday, December 4. The Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce lists it from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tower Park, 117 Park Place. Delavan-Darien School District students lead the caroling, and Santa arrives at 6 p.m. on a City of Delavan Fire Department truck. For the parade, businesses and community groups set up floats around the park and visitors walk from one to the next. Visit Delavan lists the event from 6 to 8 p.m., so check the time before you go.
If you'd like to talk about what projects like this mean for owning a home near downtown Delavan or on Delavan Lake, Tricia Forbeck is glad to help. Request a private consultation with Tricia.
