Sun Prairie Public Library

The Sun Prairie Public Library has served the community for over 120 years, beginning with a modest collection of just 208 books. Today, the library continues to grow alongside the community, with more than 200,000 visitors annually. Designed to serve as a central, accessible hub to support lifelong learning, Sun Prairie turned the page with a new $22 million library expansion. The addition includes dedicated areas with collections, spaces, and equipment curated for each age group. A creative collaborative area with specialized tools and equipment fosters creativity and learning, while the new youth services area offers fun, innovative programming for children. Early literacy resources support young children through play structures, sensory rooms, and caregiver rooms. The large, curved atrium adds a secondary reading area and serves as a link to the Sun Prairie Media Center.

Environmental and socioeconomic sustainability were key focuses throughout the design. The three-phase renovation expanded the adult collections and created innovative new spaces. The Renk Reading Room, known for its striking two-story fireplace, now houses periodicals and local history. Cozy study rooms support independent learning and teleconferencing, while computers and advanced technology in meeting rooms allow for hybrid meetings and events. A café, bookstore, and outdoor programming areas provide space for community gathering. The library’s goal of creating a LEED-certified, net-zero building is achieved through a geothermal microgrid system, photovoltaic solar panels, electric-vehicle charging stations, and on-site energy storage. Strategically placed skylights and windows throughout the facility maximize natural light, and native plantings surround the building. Throughout construction, Kraemer Brothers collaborated with library staff and administration to schedule heavy demolition during off-hours to maintain the library’s quiet, welcoming environment.