FDL Public Library Announced Winner Of Bookstore Naming Contest

It went from 620 down to one winner: Chapter 52.

Kathy Dreifuerst wins the Fond du Lac Public Library’s Name the Bookstore contest with her entry she said was inspired by great art galleries.

Dreifuerst submitted eight name suggestions in the contest to rename the library’s BookCellar. The used-books-and-more store is moving from the basement to the former pharmacy building next door to the downtown library at 52 Sheboygan St.

Dreifuerst wasn’t alone. Entries came from throughout the state, and many, such as Dreifuerst, entered with more than a few name suggestions.

Chapter 52 stood out, first to library staff, which winnowed the 620 submissions down to a few dozen, then to a VIP panel. After the library board weighed in, the final decision was made by library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse.

“I like the name a lot because it works on so many levels,” Bolthouse said. He said the library hopes to open Chapter 52 this fall.

Dreifuerst, who owns Riverwalk Art Center, a gallery sharing space with her family’s Dreifuerst & Sons Moving and Storage on Second Street, was inspired by art galleries, where it’s common practice to use the street number in the name. She pointed to photographer Arthur Stieglitz’s famous New York gallery 291, located at 291 Fifth Ave. A former teacher, Dreifuerst has operated the gallery for three years. She plans to expand this fall by offering painting and ceramics classes. She’s also a new volunteer tutor for Fond du Lac Literacy Services.

Dreifuerst was awarded a $100 Association of Commerce gift certificate and $25 in library bookstore gift certificates.

In the photo above Kathy Dreifuerst with Library Director Jon Mark Bolthouse.