"We have no meeting rooms for community groups to congregate in," said Tony Wiesczorek, Kaukauna Public Library Director. "We would also like to expand the computer area so people have a place to sit down and use their laptops. We're WIFI compatible."

To build a new library would cost about four-million dollars. But developers looking to redevelop space in the 150-year-old Eagle Mill, now owned by Thilmany, may give the library twice the space it has now. An eight-million dollar commercial-community use project is being proposed for the site that would fit the library's needs and budget.

"It's a wonderful building built in 1872. It was built for manufacturing. So it's very strong. And it's stood the test of time," said Randy Stadtmueller of Stadtmueller and Associates.

The location would also give library users could some fringe benefits unique to Kaukauna.

"Being on the river and near Thousand Islands is going to offer recreational opportunities along with library use," Stadtmueller said.

Developers are working to attract investors for the project. But historic redevelopment tax credits are another possibility for financing.

An adaptive reuse plan will be presented during the Kaukauna City Council meeting October 2.

Local 5's Terry Kovarik has the story.