Your Library Connection

Answers to Capital Campaign Questions

It’s been exciting to work towards a new library and begin our capital campaign!  Some questions have come up about the campaign, mostly about pledges and giving to the project.  I would like to address those questions in my article today.

Will everyone have a chance to pledge?
Yes.  Everyone will have the opportunity to give a gift and/or make a three year pledge, and financially support building a new Independence Public Library.  There will be various methods for everyone to give a gift.  Currently, campaign volunteers are trying to visit in person with as many area residents and businesses as possible.  Volunteers believe in-person visits allow them the best opportunity to accurately communicate the needs and benefits of this library building project.  Once this in-person visit campaign phase is complete, the campaign may have a direct mail opportunity for gifts and/or the placement of a gift coupon in the local newspaper.  A special event, currently in the planning stages, will also be a way for everyone to get involved in supporting the project by attending and/or participating in the event. 

Please explain the library capital campaign pledge…
Everyone is invited to consider a pledge for the new public library building.  The pledge can be paid over a three year period.  Making a pledge allows you to help this project move forward with construction more quickly and possibly give a larger amount than what is possible with a one-time gift.  Capital campaign pledges in general have been very successful and are typically fulfilled at close to 100%.  Campaign volunteers encourage those contributors making a pledge to make their first payment this calendar year with the second payment in 2007 and final payment in 2008.  Financing costs for the project will be less if you begin your pledge payments during this calendar year.

Why didn’t you apply for grants before asking for pledges from the community?
Almost all of the grants available for library buildings require substantial community or local support before they would consider a proposal.  For example, the CAT Grant (Community Attraction and Tourism which is part of Vision Iowa) requires 50% of funding to be secured before a project will be placed on their agenda.  The same is true for the Roy J. Carver Trust.  Pledges from individuals and businesses are applied to the total to bring the library closer to the point of applying for these grants.          

Why is it important for me to contribute or make a pledge now?  I’d rather do it after I see the completed project.
Understandably, there is some concern about whether, after all these years, we are actually going to get a new library. As you all know, it has been a long and difficult path to get where we are today. However, because we have pulled together as a community, all systems are finally “go.”  A positive capital campaign feasibility study was done indicating that the time is right for a successful capital campaign and the city has committed $700,000 and the land to the project.  Each part of the process has involved a cross-section of community members.  The current phase of the process is the fundraising, and the leadership team raising the money is led by Rob Robinson.  The group consists of a very dedicated group of civic leaders.  One reason to donate or pledge your gift now is because the leadership team and library board hope to remain on schedule with the groundbreaking in the spring of ’07.  Also, the more dollars we receive now, the less the bridge loan will be - which translates into lower financing costs.

Other Building Project Articles:
Donation Form
Fundraising Event - SPELLBOUND!
Library Campaign Passes $2.5 Million
A Proud Past...A Progressive Future
Library Campaign Awarded CAT Grant!
How Can I Help the Library Reach Goal?
Frequently Asked Questions and Thoughts about the New Library
Building Plans Detailed
Elevations and Floor Plan
Campaign Chair Selected
Site and Architect
Children's Area
Top 10 Reasons a New Public Library is Needed
Young Adult Area
 

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