Sponsorship Program for Microfilm Preservation

The Menomonee Falls Public Library and the Library Friends are launching a fundraising initiative to preserve and increase the accessibility of our newspaper collection. We are extending an invitation to you to participate as a sponsor.

Microfilm has long been a cornerstone of historical record-keeping, housing irreplaceable newspapers and records that are no longer available in other formats. Due to environmental degradation of film and age of reading equipment, the reels are now at risk of becoming unreadable. This would be a great loss to the history of Menomonee Falls.

We already have a start on the efforts. See the archives in action!

Our Goal:

We aim, to raise $47,000 to support digitization and online access of our microfilm newspaper collection. These funds will cover:

Digitization of the Menomonee Falls News, Menomonee Falls Tribune, Express News, Sanborn Maps and School District of Menomonee Falls High School newspapers
High-resolution digitization of deteriorating microfilm reels and paper copies of newspapers
Online user-friendly digital search platform to access the pages
Metadata tagging and cataloging for public access
Proper storage solutions for digital backups

How You Can Help:

As a sponsor, your contribution will directly support the preservation of invaluable historical resources.

One-time donation – We accept one time donations of any amount. Donations of $100 or more will receive donor recognition. Donations of $1,000 or more will be featured in our Preservation Partner Spotlight.
Adopt a Year Program – Each year covers 1-2 reels, one reel costs about $200 to digitize. We encourage individuals or school Alumni groups to pool together and adopt the year they were born or graduated.
Team Donations - Sign up to be a team leader and fundraise to reach your goal!

Why it Matters:

Preserving microfilm ensures that future generations have access to authentic historical records—primary sources essential for researchers, students and anyone interested in understanding the past. Your support will help safeguard materials that may be otherwise lost forever.

Copies will be placed online in a user-friendly digital archive. Researchers will be able to access the keyword searchable archive anytime day or night as long as they have an internet connection.

We would be honored to discuss this project with you further and explore how we can partner to make this vision a reality.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help protect our collective history. Please feel free to contact Ellen at the Library with any questions or to arrange a meeting. Ellen can be reached at erohr@menomonee-falls.org or by phone at (262) 532-8930.

Menomonee Falls Public Library Newspaper Digitization Campaign

Help Preserve Menomonee Falls History

Team Members