A handsome plaque hanging in front of the Maple Lake Library reads: Established 2009. Now that I've learned the story of its birth, I suggest that two words be added:

"So there!"

But the proud folks of Maple Lake, population 2,100, are too busy unpacking and cataloging books to indulge in big-city bravado.

A few years back, budget cuts loomed and instead of opening a library, the Great River Regional Library Board suggested that Maple Lake residents drive 7 miles east to Buffalo or 7 miles west to Annandale for their book fix. Residents responded with one big not-on-your-life.

Then they got to work. Thirty-thousand donated books later, the volunteer-run library at 74 Birch Av. S., in the town's quaint business district, just celebrated its first anniversary.

"Knowing we have a place for the community to go, seeing the kids come in with their book bags and their parents, brings joy to my face," said Denise Blizil, president of the Maple Lake Library Board. Blizil, married for 32 years to her high school sweetheart, and the mother of two adult children, has lived in Maple Lake her whole life.

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Terry Mooney, left, and Wendy Kelly checked the bookshelves for books that needed to be relabeled for a new system to come at the end of the summer.

The best part, she said, "is thinking that we knew the community wanted it, then seeing the numbers."

The two-story brick building, once a movie theater with a bowling alley in the basement, welcomes visitors with leprechauns, clover and other green nods to the community's Irish roots. Inside, browsers can choose from 12,000 books, with another 18,000 or so duplicates sold a few doors down at the "Den." Those books are $1 per hardcover, 50 cents for paperbacks, with the money going back into library programs. Many others are donated to a women's prison and senior center.

More than 6,000 people visited the library during its first year, averaging 50 a day. Besides the books, there's also an impressive collection of DVDs and that 20th-century phenom, VHS tapes.

"We are still very rural," said Sue Sylvester, volunteer coordinator. "We cling to things like VCRs. But," she added with a smile, "we're just like a real library."

It is, in fact, volunteers who keep this real library running 20 hours a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday from noon-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Sylvester has a volunteer roster of about 30 locals, including retired executives, snowbirds and teens looking for community-service opportunities.

Donna Loch, 18, a senior at Maple Lake High School, volunteers on Saturdays when needed, shelving books and greeting customers. "Sometimes, little kids come in and we have candy and we help them with the computers," Loch said. "It's way better than having to drive to Buffalo. It's nice for the community."

The vision of creating a long-desired library of their own began in 2006, when about 15 people, in their 30s up to 80s, sat in the basement of the Maple Lake Messenger newspaper office to brainstorm.

"Despite being told no," said longtime Messenger editor Theresa Andrus, "this group hung together."

The city of Maple Lake provided $10,000 for library operations in 2009, with another $5,000 promised for 2010. The Maple Lake Chamber of Commerce gave $8,000, which was used to buy the 1,300-square-feet library's furnishings. Books started flowing from around the state.

"Awesome," said Elijah Lark, 12, who popped in after school last week with Tyler Jude, 13, and Tyler's two little sisters, Jordana, 5, and Hannah, 6. "Pretty cool," Tyler said. The boys, who live less than half a mile away, said they come to the library at least once a week to use the computer or check out movies.

Jordana jumped on the computer to draw a house, while Hannah searched for a book in the impressive children's section.

Upwards of 80 boxes of books await unpacking, Sylvester said. While each book is currently recorded by hand, a grant for new tracking software is coming soon to take the library into the 21st century.

Already, the library has been a boon to nearby businesses, which include a seamstress, bead store, hair salon, costume rental and religious gift shop.

Natalie McClory owns Irish Blessings Coffeehouse three doors down with her husband, Chris. "We've noticed a lot more family traffic [since the library opened]," she said, and an uptick in the shop's ice cream and cookie sales. "This downtown has a lot of potential and the library is our first step in realizing it."

Blizil, a retired Allianz executive, seconds that.

"The pride we feel knowing we overcame a lot of obstacles. ... You walk into this bright, cheery place and it is really something."

Gail Rosenblum • 612-673-7350 • gail.rosenblum@startribune.com