| Friends of library to donate $50,000 to new West County branch |
|
The Library Foundation will host a press conference on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blasco Memorial Library, 2nd floor Exhibition Area, at which Dr. Robert M. Gallivan, president of the Friends of the Library, will present a major gift to Jim Spiegel, president of the Library Foundation Board. The Erie County Public Library Foundation will receive the largest contribution to date for the West County Branch -- $50,000 from the Friends of the Library. Spiegel stated: "We are very grateful to the Friends of the Library for this generous gift, particularly in these difficult economic times. The Friends have always been extremely supportive of the library's activities. This gift is yet another indication of their vision and generosity. It couldn't come at a better time." Margaret Stewart, executive director of the library, added: "Many people don't realize how important the Friends are to the library. They provide financial support for most of our programs, everything from our senior days to musical concerts to special programs for children. They also help us purchase extra materials and furnishings. I don't know where we would be without the Friends." Bob Gallivan, Friends' president, stated: "This time of giving can be extended to financially support what will become an extremely valuable community resource. Based on the Blasco Library, the Iroquois Avenue Branch, and most recently, the Millcreek Branch, we know that library usage will expand greatly. We want to show our full support for the new branch in Fairview and we want to encourage other groups and individuals to support this effort as well. Now that construction is underway, we hope this gift will be an impetus for additional community support. The West County Branch will be an outstanding library and we hope that once people see the beautiful library opening in Edinboro in a few weeks, they may be even more excited to donate to this branch." The decision to build a new branch in the West County area was based on demographics, economics and library usage. The ECPLF will contribute more than 65 percent of the total estimated construction cost of $2.1 million. All gifts received will be matched dollar for dollar by the Blasco Endowment Fund at the Erie Community Foundation. As the largest branch in the library system, the new West County Branch Library will be wireless and will hold 55-60,000 materials. The branch will also have a large community and programming room and a Children's Garden for summer programs. Construction should be completed by early summer, with an opening in early to mid-fall. The West County Branch will replace the Presque Isle branch, located in the West Erie Plaza. The Erie County Public Library is a department of Erie County government. The Library Foundation and Erie County have formed a partnership which enables the foundation to build library branches. Once construction is completed, the building is turned over to Erie County government, who is also responsible for the branch's operation and continued maintenance. |
Please consider a small doantion.
You can fill out the donation form HERE
Thank you for your support. We greatly appreciate it!
The Erie Regional Library Foundation, Inc., a fundraising arm of the Erie County Public Library system, is participating in Erie Gives!
Go to www.ErieGives.org on Tuesday, August 2 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and donate $25 or more to the Erie Regional Library Foundation. In celebration of The Erie Community Foundation’s 75th anniversary, a prorated match from a pool of $75,000 will be added to your donation.
The more money we raise through on-line donations on August 2nd, the more of the pro-rated match of the $75,000 we will receive.
Visit www.ErieGives.org today for more information.
Â
