The Beloit Public Library Foundation hosted its annual Donor Appreciation Event this week, recognizing community support that enabled nearly 15,000 library program connections in the past year—as well as honoring a beloved library initiative and recognizing a respected statewide library leader whose contributions left a legacy.
Bookleggers Receives First Edition Award
The First Edition Award, newly established to honor individuals, programs, or organizations whose contributions have shaped Beloit Public Library’s story in lasting and meaningful ways, was presented to the Bookleggers program and its volunteers.
“Like a rare first edition, these honorees are unique, valued, and foundational to the chapters that follow,” said Foundation President Jeff Adams during the presentation.
Bookleggers, coordinated by library staff, is a one-of-a-kind early literacy program in which volunteers bring curated backpacks of books into third-grade classrooms each month. Teachers rely on this monthly delivery to supplement classroom libraries with diverse, leveled, and engaging titles that foster independent reading and support instruction.
“There is no other program in the country quite like Bookleggers,” Adams said. “It’s not just about delivering books—it’s about connecting, mentoring, and inspiring young readers at a critical point in their literacy development.”
The Booklegger program is entirely supported by donor funding. Thanks to recent grants from Ecolab, the Col. Robert H. Morse Foundation, and Pieper Electric, Inc., Bookleggers has begun a full refresh of its collection. Half of the books for the 2024–25 school year are brand new, with the remainder to be updated for 2025–26.
Library Champion Award Honors the Late Steven Platteter
The Foundation also presented the Library Champion Award posthumously to Steven T. Platteter, a dedicated library leader who passed away in February at the age of 63. His wife, Roxane Bartelt, accepted the award on his behalf.
Steve Platteter devoted more than three decades to advancing library services across Wisconsin. After beginning his career as a photojournalist, he transitioned into librarianship in the early 1990s, earning his MLIS from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1993. He served in leadership roles across multiple library systems, including the Southwest Wisconsin Library System, Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System, and most recently as Deputy Director of the Prairie Lakes Library System, which he helped form through the merger of Arrowhead and Lakeshores Library Systems.
Under his leadership, Arrowhead Library System joined the SHARE Consortium, expanding access to shared catalogs and digital services for patrons. Steve also served the Wisconsin Library Association for more than 30 years, and was known not only for his professional leadership but also for photographing conferences and preserving the state’s library history as a member of the Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Steering Committee.
Steve Platteter is remembered as a champion of collaboration, innovation, and history in Wisconsin’s library landscape—making him a fitting recipient of the Library Champion Award.
The evening also included a short presentation from Library Director Nick Dimassis regarding Discovery PLAYce and The Campaign for Beloit’s Children.
For more information about the Beloit Public Library Foundation and how to support programs and recognition efforts like these, visit the Library’s Foundation page.
