Your Library Connection
A True Community Project
I would love to take this opportunity to thank all of those people who have given time, energy, ideas, and encouragement during the new Independence Public Library building project thus far! A tremendous amount of planning and behind-the-scenes work goes into a public project such as this.
Seeing the need for a better facility, the Independence City Council passed a resolution stating support of a new library building to be built on First Street East by the Lee Mansion and Cedar Valley Hospice. Their support and commitment of $700,000 towards the project really jump-started the building committee and library board. A larger building committee was recruited, consisting of the library board, library staff, and many community members. Involved in selecting an architect, brainstorming, and working with the design and floor plan were Dave Iverson and Mary Stevenson as co-chairs. Others, not listing board or staff members, were Karen Connell, Renae Conrad, Richard Engen, Judy Ferreter, Cheryl Hand, Leanne Harrison, Stephany Harvey, Jeanne Hermsen, Bob Hill, Alan Johnson, Peggy Magner, Paul Paisley, and Kathy Smith. This group did a fabulous job in those crucial steps of contracting with an architect and working with the design and layout of the building.
As the library project moves forward to focus on raising the funds for the newly planned building, a leadership team was established. This is a dynamic group being led by Rob Robinson, President of BankIowa. Members include Connie Brown, Marty Brown, Richard Engen, Lans Flickinger, Colette Greenley, Cheryl Hand, Bob Hill, Steve Kilgard, Mary Klotzbach, Dolph Leytze, Gary McClintock, Paul Paisley, Mike Ruffcorn, Lisa Sanboeuf, and Dorotha Sundquist. Board and staff members are not listed.
The Friends of the Library continue to strive towards a better future for our library and community. They have been instrumental in raising money, running book sales, and keeping concessions going for Riverside Cinema. Currently the Friends, led by President Gary Buresh, are raising money for the new library. They had a wonderful boost from the West Elementary Talent Show, in which the students raised over $2600, and matching funds were given by Court and Maud Bentley.
The library board has been solidly behind the new building and continues to be the main force moving the project forward. They have volunteered countless hours. Library Board Members are President Bill Stamper, Vice-President Mark White, Secretary Jacquie McTaggart, Craig Ankerstjerne, Sally Craig, Ronda Howard, and Linda Hughes.
What has been started is a true community project. This is evident from the cross-section of volunteers who are willing to give of themselves and their time to see it come to fruition. I can’t begin to explain how appreciative I am of the large number of individuals willing to give to see a better library and community. The process is how it should be, with community members being essential.
Thanks to everyone…those formally involved on the
committees, the library board, and the Friends. Thanks to the staff for their
input in the design process, their extra hours, and their flexibility with all
the meetings. Thanks to all those who ask how the project is going and those
who offer encouragement. Thanks to those who talk with others and spread the
word about why we need a new library. Thanks to those who read this column.
Thanks to those who have given or plan to give financially to the project. In
the end, everyone will benefit…whether it will be from improved opportunities,
access, education, quality of life, or economic development.
Library Tidbits:
If you have registered for the summer reading program, keep reading! Bring your reading logs to the library periodically to get your coupons and earn your critter cash.
Buck: Ambassador of Wolves is a program coming up on June 27th at 7:00 pm. Ken DeNault, professor at UNI, and Buck will be at the VFW Building to tell you about wolves, their nature, and Buck’s incredible story. If will have the opportunity to pet Buck after the formal program.
The next Riverside Cinema event is part of the 4th of July Celebration and will be held at the River Walk Band Pavilion on July 2nd at 8:30 pm.
The library’s hours are 10 am – 8 pm Mon – Thurs, 10 am – 5 pm Fri, and 10 am – 3 pm Sat.
Visit our website to check
out the calendar of events and stay posted on our latest happenings,
www.indylibrary.org.
”There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public
Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth
receives the slightest consideration.” -Andrew Carnegie
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