Library to Fire Up Building Fundraising Campaign

Helen Matthes Library board members this week decided to push for completion of their building fundraising campaign.

The library will be relocating from its Market Avenue location to the former 5/3 Bank building on North 3rd Street, but not before significant renovations are completed.  A low-key fundraising campaign has been underway for several months, and the effort is 17% toward goal.

Library Director Amanda McKay said she plans to ask the campaigners to come into the library and complete their solicitation calls this week, in hopes of wrapping up the fundraising in the next couple of months and enable the project to get underway.

McKay confirmed that naming rights are still available to prospective donors.  Different portions of the planned library are available to be named in honor of a donor or in memory of a loved one, starting at contributions of $25,000.  The Board has agreed that the name of the library would be changed in recognition of a donation of $500,000 or more.

The project is expected to get a statewide boost when the Illinois Library Association convention is held.  The library's architect plans to make Helen Matthes Library its featured project at the convention.

McKay reported that participation in the Summer Read program at the library was up in both the adults' and children's categories.  She said what was really gratifying was that completion rates among both children and adults were up significantly, between 50% and 60%.

McKay also told the Board that Helen Matthes received a grant from the Koboldt Trust of $2,500.