Money and space … those are the two primary issues that always seem to be challenges for libraries. There’s never enough money to buy all the books they want on their shelves and there are never enough shelves to hold all of the books that they want to buy.
That’s why the Morinville Public Library has embarked on a new fundraising venture. They’re inviting members of the community to become book sponsors, all while they’re right in the middle of their tightest space crunch ever.
“Libraries always rely on fundraising and donations,” explained library manager Isabelle Cramp, “particularly when they are at the same point that we are now.”
Usually the library can be found in Morinville’s town hall, but it is undergoing renovations so the library has relocated to the basement of the parish hall.
“We’re very grateful and lucky that the town is doing renovations for us, but of course we have to look beyond just the physical space,” said Cramp. “We have to look at the shelves. We have to look at the furniture that needs to go in and all of these things.”
“Definitely, that’s a time when any library like us would look into finding sponsors, doing fundraising and finding donors.”
A special area will be installed in the new library to display a selection of books, each accompanied with unique dust jackets that will feature the name of the donor on the spine.
This small but distinct honour is available to anyone who makes a donation of $100. The library board hopes to maximize the effect of these gifts by working on getting grants that award matching funds.
Town resident Lil Boddez is one who has already jumped at the opportunity to help. She was one of the original board members who set it up in 1967, but now she simply considers herself a fond patron who wants to share her love of books with as many people as possible.
“I’m very passionate about it,” she admitted. “We have one of the better libraries in the area and I think this program is such a good thing.”
The fundraising is intended to help pay for the installation of new equipment, counter stations and furniture in Civic Plaza.