Dwight Foster Public Library
🏢 Bridges Library System · Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Dwight Foster Public Library
Founded in 1892 and named for Dwight Foster — Fort Atkinson's first settler, who arrived in 1836 — this Jefferson County library serves as the county's resource library. It holds one of the primary archive collections of Objectivist poet Lorine Niedecker, who worked here from 1928 to 1930, and offers Explore Passes for free admission to regional zoos, children's museums, and art institutions.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–8pm |
| Thursday | 8am–8pm |
| Friday | 8am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 209 Merchants Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Phone: (920) 563-7790
Website: fortlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JHW5G7+JR (Fort Atkinson, WI)
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📖 About Dwight Foster Public Library
Dwight Foster Public Library is Fort Atkinson's public library and the designated resource library for Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The library was established in 1892 when the city voted $500 for library purposes, with Miss Sue Nichols becoming its first librarian. Its namesake, Dwight Foster, was the city's first settler, arriving in 1836; the library building was funded in 1912 by a $10,000 donation from Foster's son-in-law, Henry E. Southwell, who stipulated the building bear Foster's name. A 1931 children's wing and a 1983 expansion that doubled the floor space to roughly 22,000 square feet brought the library to its present form. The library houses a portion of the literary archives of poet Lorine Niedecker, the only woman associated with the Objectivist movement, who worked here 1928–1930. It belongs to the Bridges Library System, giving patrons access to 24 member libraries in Jefferson and Waukesha counties. Community programs include the Glacial River Library Memory Project, home delivery for homebound patrons, the Community Voices oral history initiative, and a permanent StoryWalk at Ralph Park.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Established 1892 — Jefferson County's designated resource library and one of Wisconsin's oldest public libraries
- Named for Dwight Foster, Fort Atkinson's first settler (1836); current building funded in 1912 by the Foster family
- Holds primary archive materials of Objectivist poet Lorine Niedecker, who worked here 1928–1930
- Explore Passes for free admission to regional zoos, children's museums, and art museums — check out a pass like a book
- Robust memory care programs: Memory Cafes, Memory Kits, Music & Memory, Purple Tube Project, and home delivery service
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Fort Atkinson cardholders access Wisconsin's statewide and regional digital resources for free:
📚 Services
- Explore Passes — free admission to regional zoos, children's museums & art museums
- Home delivery service for homebound Fort Atkinson residents (weekly, contact Adult Services)
- 17 public computers plus laptops for in-building use & free Wi-Fi
- Copy, scan & fax services
- Meeting room reservations
- Memory care programs: Memory Cafes, Memory Kits, Music & Memory, Purple Tube Project
- Book a Librarian for one-on-one research assistance
- Community Voices oral history program (StoryCorps-inspired)
🎸 Programs
- Glacial River Library Memory Project — Memory Cafes rotating across Jefferson County libraries
- StoryWalk at Ralph Park (permanent, seasonal book changes — spring, summer, fall)
- Children's and family programming
- Adult programs including book clubs and author events
- Summer reading for all ages
- Recursos para hispanohablantes — Spanish-language resources and outreach
📍 Nearby Libraries in Jefferson & Dane Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Fort Atkinson · Browse all Wisconsin libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dwight Foster, and why is the library named after him?
Dwight Foster was Fort Atkinson's first European settler, arriving in 1836 when the area was still frontier territory. In 1912, his son-in-law Henry E. Southwell donated $10,000 to construct a new library building on the condition that it be named in Foster's honor. The Foster family ultimately donated over $474,000 to various Fort Atkinson community institutions.
What is the Lorine Niedecker connection to Dwight Foster Public Library?
Lorine Niedecker (1903–1970), recognized as the only woman associated with the Objectivist poetry movement, worked at the Dwight Foster Public Library from 1928 to 1930. After her death, the library inherited her personal book collection and became one of the two primary archives of her literary papers, alongside the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson.
Does the library offer Explore Passes for museum admission?
Yes. The Friends of the Dwight Foster Public Library support an Explore Passes program that gives cardholders complimentary access to regional zoos, children's museums, and art museums. Passes are checked out like library books — check availability through the library or contact the Friends organization.
What memory care services does Dwight Foster Public Library offer?
The library coordinates the Glacial River Library Memory Project, which includes Memory Cafes (monthly social gatherings for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners), circulating Memory Kits with stimulating activities, the Music & Memory program (personalized iPod playlists for individuals with dementia), and the Purple Tube Project for crisis planning. Contact Adult Services Librarian Deb Bauer at (920) 563-7790 ext. 200.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.