Library hopes community will help them seize the day

Marion County’s Library is in need of an expanded home base in the City of Marion and improved facilities in the county.

The Library’s Board and Capital Campaign Finance Committee have launched a building campaign, met with architects, made plans and have a model of the proposed expansion. They have taken the library’s and community’s needs and desires, met with officials and are moving forward to accomplish the mammoth task that is the expansion project.

The community goal of $625,000 in cash and in-kind contributions is at a 35 percent success mark, a recent letter from finance committee members said. There is an immediate need of $375,000 to make the project “shovel ready.” And yes, that’s the buzzword that will make the project able to qualify for “stimulus funding” available from the Federal Government.

Tax-deductible contributions are necessary, immediately, to help one of the county’s most important resources become what it can be.

Additionally, to apply for many grants, there must be money in the bank. Money shows to those willing to give, that the community is behind the project and cares about the future of its citizens and their quality of life. Project details are online at http://www.marioncountylibrary.org.

In the meantime, contact your local and state representatives telling them of your support for expanded library services; support the expansion when talking to your friends; schedule a presentation about the library for your club or church group; and give to support this project with a financial contribution.

“Living without books would be like living without food or water.  Since I first understood how words reflected thoughts and actions, I’ve been hooked.“ Those are the words of Bartlene McMillan, a Mullins Library patron, as quoted on the library’s Web site.

According to the site, there are other ways citizens can help the library grow its programs and services. In addition to giving their money, folks can help maintain the collection, read to children, or work with starting a new Friends group.

Call the headquarters library in Marion at (843) 423-8300 to ask about ways you can help them grow, and go ahead and make that donation online through the library’s site. We’ll all be better off because you did.