Waukee Library Turns 10 With Celebrity Auction and Party

Patrons and supports of the Waukee Public Library celebrated the building’s 10th birthday March 3 with a celebrity auction hosted by WHO-TV's chief meteorologist Ed Wilson.

Among the items auctioned off were Fareway gift cards, a two-night stay at Honey Creek Resort, a Diamond Accent Heart Pendant, a Craftsman Tool Chest, two tickets to "Jekyll & Hyde" at the Des Moines Civic Center, a Robert Shuler oil painting, and a one-night stay at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.

Live music was performed by Pamela Prouty, and hors d’oeuvres were provided by Glenda Reiling and Friends. There was a slideshow of the history of the building and birthday cake.

The celebrations continue throughout March with an ongoing game, Your Library: The Price is Right. Prizes will be given away all month long to participants in the game.

The Waukee Public Library first opened its doors in 1929, Director Erik Surber said in his blog. In 1990, library supporters raised $70,000 and helped pass a $30,000 bond issue to purchase the old Christian Church. This moved the library from a tiny corner in City Hall to a 4,000-square-foot facility. In May 2001 Waukee residents overwhelmingly approved a $2 million bond issue for the construction of the current library building, opened in March 2003.

The library is a 14,415-square-foot facility located in the geographic center of the city. The 2003 library gained an addition in 2009, housing the Hal Manders Collection of baseball memorabilia.