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Library launches capital campaign for expansion and renovation project
Apr 18, 2008 - 11:23:42 AM

More than 80 people recently attended a dinner held to thank those who already have made contributions to the capital campaign for the expansion and renovation of The Public Library for Union County and to launch the public phase of the campaign. Pictured from left are: Craig Harley, fundraising consultant; Barbara Baylor, Capital Campaign co-chair; Martha Root, library trustee; her husband Charles Root; Gary Baylor, Capital Campaign co-chair; and Christine Mallula, President of the Board of Trustees. (photo provided)

    More than 80 people attended a dinner at Country Cupboard restaurant on April 10 that was held to thank area residents who already have made substantial contributions to the capital campaign for the expansion and renovation of The Public Library for Union County, and to launch the public phase of the campaign.
    The co-chairs of the library's Capital Campaign Committee, Gary and Barbara Baylor and James and Patricia Apple, along with members of the library’s Board of Trustees, spoke to the Union County residents and other library supporters in attendance about how The Public Library for Union County must be enlarged and improved to meet the growing needs of the community.
    LeFevre Wilk Architects of Selinsgrove, a company known for adaptive architecture, has designed the expansion and renovation of the existing 13,000 square-foot library building, and the construction contract was awarded to Keister Construction of Lewisburg.
    The $2.5 million project will allow the library to add 7,000 square feet of new space that will provide 25 per cent more shelf space for books, offer a designated space for teens, and double the space for public computers.
    A new community room will be able to accommodate 95 people or be divided to serve two groups simultaneously, and a new coffee and refreshment bar in the foyer will fulfill a long-running request from many library patrons.
    Additional comfort facilities will be constructed, too, including a family restroom.  More parking, better handicapped access, and automatic doors will allow for greater patron safety and convenience.
    Trustees and other library supporters have secured half of the funding needed to complete the project and, as National Library Week is observed this week, the Capital Campaign Committee feels the time has come to ask more Union County residents to help raise the remaining needed funds.
    Members of the committee will contact local people and businesses over the next few weeks to solicit financial support for the project.
    Anyone who would like to discuss an outright or planned gift to The Public Library for Union County and learn about related tax benefits is asked to contact Christine Mallula, President of the library’s Board of Trustees, by telephone at    523-1172.
    The Public Library for Union County is located at 255 Reitz Blvd. and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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