Reinbeck Public Library Director Lenah Oltman, left, pictured alongside RPL’s new director, Michelle Sieh, on Monday, March 23, 2026, in the library’s 1991 addition which recently underwent an extensive renovation, including new carpeting. Earlier this year, Oltman accepted a newly-created position with Generational Wealth Partners in downtown Reinbeck. Her last full day at the library was March 20; Sieh will begin full-time in her new role June 1. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

REINBECK – Chapter 1: First Impressions, the first phase in the Reinbeck Public Library’s ambitious remodeling project, is now officially in the books.

“[Homefront Builders] finished last week. We mad-scrambled and had the doors open [to the Clark Street entrance] on Wednesday. It’s beautiful!” Lenah Oltman, RPL’s library director since 2022, told the newspaper this past Monday afternoon as she stood near the library’s relocated welcome desk which is now tucked just past the Clark Street double doors. During construction, those doors were closed, giving patrons the opportunity to use the original Carnegie entrance on the east side of the building. Following roughly five weeks of construction, Oltman and her staff reopened the Clark Street doors to the public on March 18.

Last fall, Oltman began fundraising for the three-phase ‘Writing the Library’s Next Chapter Remodel Project,’ raising the first $100,000 at such a brisk pace, it nearly gave her library board trustees whiplash.

“The speed of our fundraising was a surprise,” Oltman said before breaking into a huge smile. When asked how fundraising has progressed for the second phase, Chapter 2: Community Cafe, Oltman said the next $100,000 is technically available but the library “would not have any rainy day funds remaining” if it were to be undertaken now.

In addition to the welcome desk being moved from its former center location in the 1991 addition to nearer the southwest windows, other Chapter 1 improvements included construction of two new storage rooms for programming and library operating supplies, a reconfigured/updated lounge area, relocated shelving, and, the pièce de résistance, replacing the moribund carpet original to the 1991 addition.

Reinbeck Public Library’s evening book club members pictured on Wednesday, March 18, in the updated lounge area located just inside and to the right of the Clark Street entrance. PHOTO COURTESY OF LENAH OLTMAN

The renovated addition looks fresh and inviting and somehow feels – despite the building’s square footage remaining exactly the same – much more spacious. Oltman said others have remarked similarly when viewing the renovated space for the first time.

With Chapter 1 in the books, Chapters 2 and 3 are still in need of funding. Chapter 2: Community Cafe will include updating the current, one-stall restroom to be ADA compliant; replacing the current cafe seating (mostly folding chairs) plus three of the five tables; bringing the building up to code by constructing a second restroom in the cafe; and replacing the concrete in the back room in order to enable the cafe sink to be properly plumbed alongside the two restrooms’ plumbing.

Chapter 3 will focus on the children’s library which is located upstairs in the original Carnegie building.

Those interested in donating to the RPL Remodel Project can drop off or mail checks to: The Reinbeck Public Library, 501 Clark Street, Reinbeck, IA 50669. Donations can also be made through Venmo (@ReinbeckPublicLibrary).

Sieh steps into additional role

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

But the remodel rollout wasn’t the only exciting news Oltman shared with the newspaper on Monday. She also introduced the library’s new director who is set to begin full-time in the role June 1.

Earlier this year, Oltman made the tough, but invigorating decision to write a new chapter for herself by accepting a job with Kyle Rasmussen and Generational Wealth Partners in downtown Reinbeck. The newspaper will feature a story on Oltman’s new role in an upcoming edition of the Sun Courier.

RPL’s new director, Michelle (née Beichley) Sieh, is a familiar and beloved face to many in the Reinbeck area. Not only has she already been on staff at the library for the past year as the custodian, she also works as an instructional aide at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School, volunteers as the G-R Community Coordinator for the Cedar Valley Soccer Club, and is a superstar Miracle on Main board member.

A Gladbrook native and G-R Class of 2000 alumna, Sieh and her husband Caleb, also a G-R graduate, live just outside of town and have four children – Cameron (college freshman), Elly (senior at G-R), Bennett (sophomore), and Levi (eighth-grader). Sieh holds a journalism degree from North Central University in Minneapolis where she previously worked as the university’s sports information director.

“It was an opportunity that I did not expect,” Sieh told the newspaper when asked about her new role. “But it was surprising and exciting. I have the biggest shoes to fill that I will ever fill [in Lenah]. The fact that she will not be far away will be instrumental.”

Sieh, left, pictured with RPL board president Marilyn Evans. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“She is a perfect fit,” RPL board president Marilyn Evans said of Sieh to which Oltman chimed in, “She was already very much part of the library team. Knowing her background and who she is as a person and how she fits into this community, it was a great choice by the board.”

“We had a pool of good applicants, but Michelle was the best choice,” Evans said.

For now, Sieh said she will retain her role as custodian in tandem with the library director position . She has two years to complete her public library director’s endorsement through the State Library of Iowa.

Later that afternoon, while visiting with Oltman inside her new downtown office at Generational Wealth Management, she further elaborated on Sieh stepping into her shoes (ballet or otherwise).

“Michelle doesn’t see her own value sometimes. She’s been behind the scenes for years. We’ll work together everyday (until June 1). The timing is not perfect, but it’s meant to be.”

Reinbeck Public Library children’s librarian/library assistant Cherie Eckhoff smiles from behind the relocated welcome desk this past Monday afternoon. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER