The Mankato City Library received significant funds after the sale of a rare book, donated by Robert Turner. One condition of the sale was that some of the funding had to be used for the arts. The Library Board allocates funds annually to bring in artists to perform at Mankato City Park. Eventually, the concert series grew popular enough, it required a stage. Tammy Finnell, former library director, wrote and received a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to build a stage. The stage is available for all types of entertainment, weddings, church services, classes, theater productions, and a wide variety of musical events.