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.