Author: Pam Beam

The Wisconsin Library Association proudly inducts Marge Loch-Wouters into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame in recognition of her nearly 50 years of leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication to youth services and librarianship in Wisconsin and beyond.

Marge’s distinguished career began in 1976 after earning her degrees in English and Library Science from UW–Madison. While at Madison, she was a founding member of Wisconsin Women Library Workers, a feminist library advocacy network that supported equality and women’s rights in Wisconsin libraries. During the organization’s 30 year existence, WWLW members were –  and still remain –  a seminal influence on her advocacy, leadership and collaborative work.

 Marge transformed youth services at La Crosse Public Library and Elisha D. Smith Public Library in Menasha through visionary programming, thoughtful leadership, and a fierce commitment to children and families. From creating a community-wide Winter Reading Program with area schools and launching 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, to collaboratively developing state-of-the-art programs like the Book Buying Bunch Club, the concept of Unprogramming, and Badger Detectives, Marge set statewide standards for innovation and engagement.

 Her leadership extended far beyond the library walls. Marge served as President of the Wisconsin Library Association, WLA Youth Services Section Chair and board member, WLA board member and member of numerous WLA committees and WLA’s ALA Councilor. She also represented Wisconsin nationally, as a member of the ALSC Board, an ALSC Priority Group Consultant and served on numerous ALSC committees throughout her career including the Caldecott, Sibert and Newbery Award Committees. She became a trusted voice in state and national conversations about youth services, advocacy, and literacy. As Shawn Brommer wrote, “Marge is a WLA treasure… She demonstrates leadership at every turn and remains rock steady during challenging times”.

 Marge’s dedication as an educator has shaped generations of library workers. She presented more than 200 professional workshops, classes and keynotes during her 35 years of free-lance youth library consulting – including stints at Southwest Wisconsin Library System and Winding River Library System – taught graduate student and continuing education classes at the UW–Madison iSchool, and mentored emerging leaders through WLA’s WE Lead program. Combined with her 40 year career as a freelance storyteller that took her around Wisconsin, these experiences instilled a deep respect for the innovative and creative youth work she observed being done by library staff – especially in our state’s smallest communities and rural areas.

 Librarians across the state credit her with practical wisdom, generous mentorship, and a contagious passion for the profession. Known affectionately as the “Marge Effect,” her encouragement has inspired countless colleagues to step into leadership roles. Jean Anderson recalled, “Marge has this ability to see what her colleagues are capable of and encourage them to step outside their comfort zones and into leadership roles. There are a lot of us lucky enough to have experienced the Marge Effect”.

 An advocate at heart, Marge has consistently elevated youth services from the margins to the forefront of library work. She used her platform to champion the expertise of youth librarians, promote equitable access to learning, and foster statewide networks of collaboration. Her Tiny Tips for Library Fun blog—amassing over 1.1 million views—along with her stewardship of the YSS Blog, became invaluable professional lifelines for librarians across Wisconsin and beyond.

As Anita Taylor Doering reflected, “The youth areas of La Crosse Public Library were always busy and vibrant places, thriving under her leadership. Marge is always delighted in showing students what a public good is and how libraries enrich communities.” And as Marla Sepnafski noted, “Her contributions to youth librarianship are not only profound—they are enduring. Marge’s legacy lives in the people she has influenced and the elevated standard of service she helped establish”.

 Marge Loch-Wouters embodies the values of service, leadership, and vision that define the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame. Her extraordinary contributions have strengthened libraries in every corner of the state, and her influence will continue to shape the profession for generations to come.

Steve Platteter  (April 24, 1961-February 27, 2025)

The Wisconsin Library Association proudly inducts Steve Platteter posthumously into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame in recognition of his decades of transformative leadership, steadfast advocacy for small and rural libraries, and his enduring service to Wisconsin librarianship.

Steve’s distinguished career spanned more than 35 years. His career began when he worked at the Cedarburg Public Library as a part-time reference librarian. Later he worked at the Southwest Wisconsin Library System as Automation Services Librarian, where his work was nothing short of foundational. At a time when many libraries had only dial telephones, Steve built the digital infrastructure that would carry rural Wisconsin libraries into the future. Through a thoughtful, phased approach—upgrading phone lines, introducing fax capabilities, implementing dial-up Internet, and eventually installing T-1 lines—he helped ensure rural communities had access to emerging technologies and library resources.

His technical skill was matched by his vision for collaboration. At Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System, he helped forge one of the first true inter-system partnerships through a joint Integrated Library System (ILS), skillfully navigating challenges with professionalism and calm. His willingness to personally assist small libraries—such as manually entering Lowell Public Library’s collection—embodied his belief that every library, no matter its size, matters.

As Director of Arrowhead Library System (ALS) for more than a decade, Steve became a trusted and collaborative leader. His even-tempered approach fostered strong relationships with library directors, boards, and staff. This foundation of trust was critical as he led ALS through its transition to the multi-system SHARE consortium and, later, its historic merger with Lakeshores Library System, creating the Prairie Lakes Library System in 2023. In an act of characteristic selflessness, Steve chose to become Deputy Director rather than stand in the way of progress—an extraordinary testament to his commitment to the greater good of libraries.

Steve’s advocacy extended beyond system leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he secured ARPA funding to distribute Chromebooks and hotspots to underserved residents and worked closely with member libraries to sustain services during shutdowns. He expanded outreach, including programs at the Rock County Jail, and secured LSTA funding to install hearing loops across Rock County libraries—ensuring access and inclusion for all patrons.

Steve’s contributions to the Wisconsin Library Association are equally remarkable. A WLA member since 1996, he served for decades as the association’s photographer, quietly documenting keynote sessions, awards ceremonies, and Legislative Day events to preserve the profession’s history. He also served on the WILS Board for 12 years, the Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Steering Committee (Chair), and as a member of the Public Library System Redesign Project ILL/ILS Workgroup. In 2023, he was honored as WLA/DEMCO Librarian of the Year for his career-long leadership, humility, and impact.

Steve’s peers describe him as a “quiet force” in Wisconsin libraries: a problem solver, a bridge builder, and a kind colleague who made everyone around him better. As Melody Clark reflected in a WLA Member Spotlight, his support and mentorship “helped me find my voice and confidence as a library professional.” His legacy lives on in the systems he helped shape, the libraries he strengthened, and the countless people he supported behind the scenes.

For his visionary leadership, lifelong service, and unparalleled advocacy for Wisconsin libraries, the Wisconsin Library Association proudly welcomes Steve Platteter into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame.

The Wisconsin Library Association proudly inducts Michael Gelhausen into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame in recognition of his five decades of extraordinary leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to advancing public library service in Wisconsin.

Michael Gelhausen’s remarkable career began in the late 1960s as a student assistant in Antigo, Brown County, and Madison Public Libraries. After earning his MLS from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1976, he became Director of the Duerrwaechter Memorial Library in Germantown and later the Hartford Public Library (Jack Russell Memorial Library), where he served for 31 years. Over nearly half a century, Mike built a legacy of strengthening libraries from the ground up—literally and figuratively—through visionary facility projects, technological innovation, legislative advocacy, and organizational leadership.

As a library builder, Mike oversaw three major capital projects, including Germantown’s new facility (1982), the Hartford Public Library renovation and expansion (1986), and the construction of the 35,000-square-foot Jack Russell Memorial Library (2012)—a $10 million public-private partnership that transformed library service for the region. His leadership in coordinating public hearings, managing feasibility studies, forging community partnerships, and securing funding was instrumental to each project’s success.

As an innovator, Mike recognized early the power of technology to expand access. Under his leadership, Hartford became a regional automation leader—implementing Dynix in the early 1990s, leading the creation of a Washington County automation consortium, and helping form the SHARE network connecting five counties. He brought public internet access to Hartford in 1990, championing digital literacy before it became commonplace.

As an advocate, Mike was instrumental in shaping library service across Washington County. When he began his tenure in Germantown, no county library service existed. Over a decade of tireless work—including two failed referenda, a successful LSTA demonstration grant, and deep community organizing—he helped lead the 1986 county referendum that established countywide access. This achievement set the stage for decades of enhanced resource sharing and interlibrary collaboration.

Mike’s leadership extended statewide. He served in numerous roles with WLA and WAPL for nearly 50 years, including WAPL Chair, WLA President (2001), WLA Conference Chair (1994), and long-term service on the Legislative and Library Development Committee. He helped select WLA’s first lobbyist, championed funding at biennium budget hearings, and organized Legislative Day events. He also served as Secretary of the WLA Foundation, supporting the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries, and contributed to historic legislative and structural advances, including revisions to Chapter 43, Act 150, and the “Inform Wisconsin” initiative.

One of Mike’s most enduring legacies came at the end of his career: as Interim Director of the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System, he led the historic 2016 merger with Eastern Shores to form Monarch, the first successful public library system merger in Wisconsin history. This strategic and collaborative achievement helped stabilize services for dozens of small libraries and set a precedent for future system collaborations.

Mike’s contributions also reflect a deep personal commitment to WLA. He has been a member for 50 years, attending every WLA Annual Conference and most WAPL conferences since 1976, becoming a life member in 2015. His peers describe him as a steady and thoughtful leader who has “quietly shaped much of the infrastructure and advocacy framework we now take for granted.”

For his visionary leadership, deep commitment to access and equity, and sustained contributions to Wisconsin libraries over five decades,
Michael Gelhausen exemplifies the spirit of the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame.

The Wisconsin Library Association proudly welcomes Michael Gelhausen as a 2025 inductee into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame.