Library Ready to Fire Up Fundraising

Helen Matthes Library board members Monday heard that a meeting is set for this week to re-energize the library's fundraising campaign.

Library Director Amanda McKay said the meeting Thursday evening will involve staff members, Board members, community members, business people and patrons in an effort to make the final push toward the funds needed to convert the former 5th/3rd Bank building downtown into the new library home.

The capital campaign is now at $760,000, or 40% toward the $2 million goal.

McKay said the campaign will involve face to face contacts, a letter to the community, and invitations to tour the new facility. She said many of those involved in earlier fundraising will remain involved, but said they have some "new blood", as well.

The plan is to have fundraising concluded by the end of December. McKay said construction will begin by the beginning of December.

Also Monday, the Library Board was updated about Better World Books. The firm takes donated publications not sold at book sales and sells them online with the library getting a percentage of the sales. McKay said if a classic slips through, the library's percentage of the profit is higher.

Initial information on the Summer Read Program is good, with more than 700 youth 18 or younger and more than 200 adults signed up so far. The Board approved the annual report from the Illinois Public Library. All libraries submit the reports, and libraries can then check the information to see how they're faring against others.

Also Monday, the Library Board:

--approved a two-year agreement for accounting work with Seagle Tax and Financial Services for $625/month the first year and $650/month the second year

--approved a .02% levy for building maintenance, to become part of the City's fiscal year levy

--transferred $150,000 to a special reserve account, when the goal had been to raise $70,000 for the past year