Shirley lives in the Somerset area and has been the new library director in Deer Park since June 2003. She replaces Kathy Setter who was the previous director for 13 years, a time of dramatic improvements.

Cora Lueck and Joseph of Deer Park, are using Deer Park's ultra-modern facilities. The library not only is linked to Western Wisconsin's MORE library network, but the connection is via high-speed T1 lines.

Because of the MORE network connection, Deer Park Public Library users have access to books and other holdings from 29 Wisconsin libraries. The MORE link is located at the top of this page and library card holders can select books from home and pick them up in Deer Park within a day or two at no charge.

Most area libraries have utilized existing structures, such as vacant retail establishments. Deer Park had done the same for over 30 years but in 1999 a new building was completed from the ground up. As a result there are few compromises in the building's layout.

The main entrance is separated from the library itself so there is a natural buffer from noise and stiff winter winds. The hallway doors shown are entrances to a separate meeting room on the right and two huge restrooms that are handicap accessible on the left. The library seating facilities are designed for virtually every age group from toddlers to senior citizens.

The computer work stations, 5 of them throughout the library, are equipped with laser printers and audio.

For Deer Park, population of 227, hosting a facility of this caliber might seem way beyond the expected and it is. But the library serves a surrounding area much larger. To the north Alden Township, (population 2,615) and Blackbrook Township, (population 1,208) don't have nearby access to the MORE network in Amery. As a result Shirley says they get many users from the Polk County area. Other areas immediately adjacent in Saint Croix County are Stanton, (1003) Cylon, (629) Erin Prairie, (658) and Emerald (691) a total of more than 7,000 potential users.

[Tour the Deer Park library during library week in 2002]