Jan 29, 2025

Menasha’s newly renovated Elisha D. Smith Public Library shatters view of traditional library

Posted by Miron Construction

The newly renovated Elisha D. Smith Public Library might well shatter your view of what a library should be when it opens on Feb. 8.

That is unless you envisioned a library with a makerspace equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters and engravers and a water jet cutter capable of slicing through glass, granite, steel and titanium.

Or a recording studio for making music and producing podcasts.

Or a fully furnished kitchen for use in culinary classes.

The Menasha library offers all of that after its $9 million renovation project, in addition to the more traditional stacks of books, CDs and DVDs available for checkout. There’s still a quiet reading area with a large fireplace and a friendly staff willing to help locate what you need. Plus, it all happens within a bright, airy atmosphere and a décor filled with artwork and inspirational quotes.