MEMBER PROFILE | CONNECTION
Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library has been a member since 1985.
Christine Kujawa BISMARCK VETERANS MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY Tell us about yourself and your role within your business. A: I’m Christine Kujawa, Library Director at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library. I’ve been working in the library field for over 25 years, including for the organization since 2003 and being promoted to Library Director in 2014. My education includes a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Mary; and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religion from the University of North Dakota. As the Library Director, my responsibilities comprise administration of Library operations, which includes leading a team of 58 employees, maintaining the Library’s 70,000 square foot building and grounds, budgeting and financial management, and ongoing communication with the public, media, and local and state government.
12 4 Connection
MEMBER SINCE 1985
Briefly tell us the history behind the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library. A: The Library began as a reading room established by a group of pioneer women in 1873, housed at the Chamber of Commerce. In 1917, thanks to a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Corporation, a public library was built on the corner of 6th Street and Thayer Avenue. In the 1960’s, planning began for a new location with more space, located at the corner of 6th Street and Avenue A. The project was funded through a veterans bond levy and as a result the Bismarck Public Library, was renamed Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in honor of the area’s veterans. Over 100 years later, the community continues to support the Library, as evidenced by the 350,000 visitors who check out 535,000 items annually.
