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The Meinders Community Library has been gifted to the City of Pipestone by Robert (Bob) Meinders. Remodeling and development of the location began in 2023. Photo by John Draper
On June 2, the Pipestone City Council passed a resolution accepting the city’s library as a gift from Robert Meinders. They also voted to approve terms of the Donation Agreement. The terms of the agreement call for the City to use the property for the “continued and perpetual use and maintenance of a City library.” In addition, it will be identified as “The Meinders Community Library” for a minimum of 15 years, unless the City’s library is moved to a larger and more technologically advanced building.
In 2023, the Meinders family, with Robert (Bob) Meinders in the lead, began an effort to develop a new library for the city of Pipestone. The project involved the acquisition of a library site, the acquisition and removal of a neighboring home, and a complete remodeling of the location.
Since the project began, the library remodeling has been completed and the neighboring lot has been developed into parking and outdoor programming and social space. While the project was in development, the City of Pipestone was leasing the space from Meinders for just $1 a month.
“I think the project went better than I could have hoped,” said Meinders in a follow-up interview with the County Star. “We put a lot more into it than I kind of thought. They have state of the art wireless Internet and all the cables and necessary items from an electronic standpoint. We didn’t spare anything there. And now that we have the outdoor furniture in and the patio finished just last week, I am extremely happy with it.”
In accepting the gift, Pipestone Mayor Dan Delaney expressed his thanks, “I would just like to thank Robert Meinders for his forethought to help us with the problem we had for a city library.” “We allowed him to go to work on it and just did a fantastic job.”
Delaney and other council members also expressed their thanks to various city staff members, Library Director Jody Wacker, and the library staff for all they’ve done to make the library a valuable part of the community.
Meinders was also quick to express his appreciation for the partnership with the City. “Jody could not be a better librarian in my estimation. She does an excellent job,” said Meinders. “Mike Bloemendaal [Public Works Director], the mayor, and everybody was very cooperative. I was very pleased with it.”
“It touches a lot of people and that’s what life’s all about,” said Meinders.