OMRO, Wis. — In the heart of Omro, Wisconsin, with a population just over 3,000, the Carter Memorial Library has something priceless: a sense of belonging.

Anna Dinkel, the library’s director, said it’s thanks to the people who cherish it.

“No matter what age you’re at, you are somewhere along the literacy spectrum,” said Dinkel. “We want to meet your needs there, and I think libraries are great points for connection and community, especially in small communities.”

While small-town libraries struggle to keep their doors open, Carter Memorial thrives on the support from the city, county and generous donations from the people who call Omro home.

“We just got a beautiful donation to get brand new shelving in the kids’ section for the picture books,” said Dinkel.

For Samantha Mehrl’s family, the library isn’t just a stop on their schedule — it’s part of their life.

“It was definitely one of the first places in town that we kind of felt was our home,” said Mehrl.

It’s not just about books, it’s about what happens around them: conversations, friendships and memories.

“We have a lot of families that are invested in the community and feel that it’s their responsibility to create that connection amongst neighbors and other families in the area,” said Dinkel.

She said the impact speaks for itself.

“We took a survey of our community and one of the biggest takeaways from that was that 98% of our community members feel that the library is important in their lives and in their families’ lives,” said Dinkel. “Another 98% feel that it is an important community asset to have.”