Local Sports Calendar

The Helen Matthes Library Board and Fundraising Committee will host an Open House for the public on Tuesday, September 23 from 5 to 7 p. m. at its future home, the former 5/3 Bank Building, located at 200 N. Third Street in Effingham.

Architectural renderings of the new library will be available for viewing and members of the Board and Fundraising Committee will be available to "guide" visitors round the future library and answer questions about the new layout and services. Refreshments will be available.

Registration is encouraged though not required for this event and can be done by calling the library at 217-342-2464 x3, email hmlib@effinghamlibrary.org or register online at www. effinghamlibrary. org

So far the Library has raised over $1.1 million dollars towards the construction costs of their new library building, taking the $2 million fundraising campaign past the half-way point.

The Helen Matthes Library will be moving into the former Fifth Third Bank building in 2015. The total project is estimated at $3.5 million. The library already had $500,000 in a restricted building fund. This money had been raised years ago to purchase land for a new library. The Library's current facility was appraised at nearly $700,000 - and the money from the sale of the building will be used for the renovations of the new facility. The Library is also seeking federal, state, and private grants totaling $300,000. This left approximately $2 million to be raised through fundraising.

For further information, call Amanda McKay, Library Director at 217-342-2464 x5, or email her at amanda@effinghamlibrary.org