By Dave Kinney
Stop and look around the next time you walk into the Stayton Public Library.
The library is a beehive of activity.
Adult and youth computer areas are full.
Patrons wait in line to check out books.
The meeting room is filled with people attending a music program, an art exhibit, a class or a community event.
Dedicated volunteers are hard at work.
Each activity confirms the story: patrons value and heavily use our library. This year, circulation will top 160,000, up from 109,000 in 2007.
In 2011, the doors will open over 150,000 times to admit visitors.
In 2004, when the Stayton Library Foundation proposed to build the library addition, the mayor and city leaders expressed concern about the increased costs of an expanded library.
This is an on-going concern and challenge.
The board of directors of the Stayton Public Library Foundation plan to continue to be a part of the financial solution.
Since 2008, SPLF has given the city an annual unrestricted gift for library operations.
On Feb. 21, a check for $25,000 was presented to Mayor Scott Vigil and Library Director Louise Meyers.
It is an important part of the library’s $425,000 annual budget.
In order to continue such support, the Foundation needs to expand the existing Endowment Fund.
Why does the Stayton Public Library Foundation want to continue to support on-going library operations?
1. Library usage has exploded since the 2007 building expansion.
2. The library serves Stayton residents and those who live in the surrounding rural areas of Linn and Marion Counties.
3. As budgets get tighter, community financial support is vital.
4. Literacy is a key to economic success. Access to library materials and programs helps educate our citizens and makes our community stronger.
5. Maintaining quality library services is essential and makes the city of Stayton more attractive to residents and newcomers.
6. The Stayton Public Library is the hub and “Crown Jewel” of the community.
The Crown Jewel Society was formed last September, to raise funds to support library operations and special programs.
To date, 77 individuals and businesses have joined.
Our goal is to raise $75,000 and have 211 Crown Jewel Society members by Dec. 31, 2011.
If successful, the Stayton Public Library Foundation can continue to provide on-going financial support for the Stayton Public Library.
We encourage you to join today and help us make a great community library even better, so it can continue to be Stayton’s “Crown Jewel.”
For information please go to our website at www.staytonlibraryfoundation.org or call 503-769-3313.
Dave Kinney is a Stayton Public Library Foundation Board Member.
