History

The Neuschafer Community Library is located in the Village of Fremont, a small community in Waupaca County with a big heart. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is an ideal location to raise a family, vacation, or retire. The library, like the Wolf River it overlooks, connects communities from surrounding municipalities, serving as a gathering place for patrons to access resources, build relationships, and enrich their lives.

Neuschafer Community Library Strategic Plan

The Fremont Library: Then and Now

1931
Amelia and Frank Neuschafer

Amelia and Frank Neuschafer lent out books from their front parlor (through Winnebago Extension) at the Tustin Road farmhouse.

Dr. Walter Neushafer lent out books from his dental office above the corner of Wolf River Drive and Main Street.

1938
The Start of the Library

Representatives from the Women's Improvement Club, Legion Auxillary, Chamber of Commerce, Grade school principal, Fremont Library Club, Legion Post 391, Volunteer Fire Department, and Conservation League met to start a library in Fremont.

A new library was set up in the Village Hall Council Room with 7 bookcases with locks.

Mildred Verdon became the 1st Librarian.

1958
Library Moves

The library moved to a 170-square foot jail cell which was open 2 days a week

Dr. Neuschafer would drive to Oshkosh Library each month and fill up the trunk with books for the Fremont Library

1969
Linda Neuschafer

Linda Neuschafer worked in the library to keep it open until her retirement 49 years later.

1976
Joining Library System

The library joined the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS).

1987
Margie Dearth

Margie Dearth became the librarian, which allowed the library to be open 4 days a week.

1991
Stock Certificate Donation

Dr. and Mrs. Neuschafer donated a $100,000 Stock Certificate for a free-standing library in the village (which became $108,000).

1992
New Site Purchased

5 acres on the corner of Jefferson and Fillmore was purchased for the new library site.

1993
Library Moves

Lynn Sallee took over as a librarian.

The library moved to the stage in Village Hall due to roof leakage.

Village Board voted to demolish the 1932 building and build a Village Hall, Library, and Community Center.

1994
Village Hall Demolished

The 1932 Village Hall was demolished.

Groundbreaking was held for Fremont Village Hall, Library and Community Center.

1995
Naming the New Library

The Village Board named the library after Dr. Walter Neuschafer.

Neuschafer Community Library opened on February 9, 1995.

1998
Beth Edwards & Lisa Smith

Beth Edwards became the Interim Director on April 1, 1998.

Lisa Smith became the Director on July 1, 1998.

1999
Carol Toepke

Carol Toepke became the Director.

2002
Susan Frick

Susan Frick became the Director.

2019
Natalie Snyder

Natalie Snyder became the Director.

2020
Library Renovation

The COVID pandemic closed the library, but it remained operational with curbside service.

Friends of the Neuschafer Community Library received a $100,000 grant from the Marilynn Taylor/Wohlt Creamery Fund through the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region for a library renovation. With additional help from patrons, Friends of the Library, and the Library Board, the total renovation cost was $125,000.

2021
Melissa Krause

Melissa Krause became the Director.

The library held a rededication ceremony honoring Dr. and Mrs. Neuschafer and Taylor/Wohlt for generous gifts to the library.

2022
Strategic Planning

A strategic plan was completed and adopted by the Library Board.