About Readstown Public Library

Readstown Public Library
129 West Wisconsin Avenue
Readstown, WI 54652

We are part of the Winding Rivers Library System.

Monica Matos, Director:

Monica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Communications at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. She joined the Readstown Public Library in January of 2024 after transitioning to the Driftless region at the end of 2023. Having co-founded two non-profit organizations, Monica has experience in event planning and a passion for community building. She envisions the library as a hub for residents to develop new knowledge and skills together, explore new possibilities, and support each other in creating a healthy, thriving community.

Reimagining the Readstown Library: on the heels of the recently completed renovation, the library is ripe for a rebirth! If you have any ideas, suggestions, or input of any kind about how the library can best serve you and the community (or possibly even consider serving on our board?), please don’t hesitate to connect with me.

library@vi.readstown.wi.gov

Library Assistant Claudia Dull:

Claudia has had many chapters in her life working in the library system. As a young farm girl attending North Crawford High School, Claudia volunteered in the school’s library. Years later, she helped with story hour for the Gays Mills Public Library. Several years later, Claudia started as a volunteer for the Soldiers Grove Public Library. After 20 years there, Claudia was hired in November of 2015 as the Assistant Librarian at Readstown Public Library. She became the Director of Readstown Public Library in May of 2016, retiring from this position in April of 2021. Claudia continues to work as a Librarian Assistant at the Readstown Public Library. She resides in Readstown with her crazy German Shepherd mix, Buster. Claudia is a member of the Soldiers Grove American Legion Auxiliary, the North Crawford Rescue Squad, the North Clayton Global Methodist Church, and a new member of the Readstown Historical Society. Yes, many pages of her life are as a volunteer. 

Library Assistant Sam Peterson: Sam joined the library in December of 2021. She is a Kickapoo alumni and lives in Viola with her family. Sam enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing video games in her spare time. Sam’s creative personality serves the library well. Aside from helping you find the right read, Sam also heads the Children’s Program the third Saturday of every month.

President: Al Buss

Vice President: Vacant

Secretary: Jeanine Hummel

Treasurer: Gary Sime

 The Readstown Public Library was founded in 1978 by businessman, John Sime (1925-2025). It was first housed in the back room of the bank building, which at that time was occupied by the village offices.

When the LaFarge Bank decided to open a branch bank in Readstown, the building had to be vacated. So the library (along with the village offices) was moved into a mobile home purchased for that purpose. Through a block grant, the village gained ownership of the former Adkins Insurance Building. It was decided to move the library into it, as it would provide more room and a better location.

When this building was razed to allow for the construction of the new Community Building, the library was given temporary quarters in a former dwelling house belonging to Michael and Roberta Callaway. While at this location, in 1992, Helen “Janie” Fortney, at the age of 65, became the first Readstown librarian.

She immediately got to work, setting up the card catalog and Dewey Decimal System, repairing books and handwriting a card in each. Knowing they needed a better facility, she helped write a grant to purchase the former Lowes Manufacturing building that now houses the library. She designed the floorplan, sanded and stained new shelf boards, enlisted volunteers to help

Janie devotedly championed the library for 21 years, until age 86 (2013). She was instrumental in turning it into a beautiful, up-to-date library the village of Readstown is so privileged to have today.

Submitted by John H. Sime, , Founder of the Readstown Library and owner of Sime Funeral Home.