NEW GLARUS - Funds pledged to build a new library on New Glarus' west side have reached nearly $650,000 as of last week, making it eligible to receive $1 million for the project from the village.
The village board voted 5 to 2 on June 5 to borrow $1 million and to contribute $50,000 in cash for the new building. Before borrowing, the capital campaign had to acquire $500,000 in pledged donations.
The $50,000 cash contribution comes from the village reserve funds and a sinking fund established for the library in 2011.
Village trustee and liaison to the library board, Kevin Budsberg said the fundraising campaign is being rolled out.
"The first part is the visionary with a few large personal donations, and we more than exceed our goal with that. The next is the major segment where we look for about 200 people to make sizable donations," he said.
The sizable donations come with the collective giving idea, and the library is working one such campaign to specifically fund the children's area with 100 donations of $1,000 pledges to be paid over a five-year period. Those who pledge get their names included on a wall plaque that will be mounted in the area.
"We felt pledges with a five-year period would be affordable for most people," Budsberg said. The $1,000 pledge breaks down to $17 a month, or $200 a year.
The third segment of the capital campaign is the public segment. Along the way, Friends of the Library volunteers have been donating a portion of their book sales to the capital funds.
And recently the Friends held a Trivia night, which was attended by more than 70 participants and 10 to 20 observers, Budsberg said.
The library will be about 10,700 square feet with about 4,000 extra feet of space - part of which will become the offices of the Town of New Glarus.
"The town has come forward with building and operating funds," Budsberg said.
One unique feature in the plans, a covered parking area on the west, is being built on a sloping hill.
The library is accessible by pedestrians from the east and by drivers through the lower level entrance on the north and from the carport.
Budsberg said he did not want a two-story building, because it would require an elevator.
"But this two-level design won me over," he said.
"The lower level needs no direct supervision," he added, because it consists mostly of the Town offices, bathrooms, storage, utilities and a multipurpose room.
The library board is confident it can build the new facility for $2.3 million.
The space in the new library will allow expanding programs and events, particularly for elderly, Budsberg said.
The village board voted 5 to 2 on June 5 to borrow $1 million and to contribute $50,000 in cash for the new building. Before borrowing, the capital campaign had to acquire $500,000 in pledged donations.
The $50,000 cash contribution comes from the village reserve funds and a sinking fund established for the library in 2011.
Village trustee and liaison to the library board, Kevin Budsberg said the fundraising campaign is being rolled out.
"The first part is the visionary with a few large personal donations, and we more than exceed our goal with that. The next is the major segment where we look for about 200 people to make sizable donations," he said.
The sizable donations come with the collective giving idea, and the library is working one such campaign to specifically fund the children's area with 100 donations of $1,000 pledges to be paid over a five-year period. Those who pledge get their names included on a wall plaque that will be mounted in the area.
"We felt pledges with a five-year period would be affordable for most people," Budsberg said. The $1,000 pledge breaks down to $17 a month, or $200 a year.
The third segment of the capital campaign is the public segment. Along the way, Friends of the Library volunteers have been donating a portion of their book sales to the capital funds.
And recently the Friends held a Trivia night, which was attended by more than 70 participants and 10 to 20 observers, Budsberg said.
The library will be about 10,700 square feet with about 4,000 extra feet of space - part of which will become the offices of the Town of New Glarus.
"The town has come forward with building and operating funds," Budsberg said.
One unique feature in the plans, a covered parking area on the west, is being built on a sloping hill.
The library is accessible by pedestrians from the east and by drivers through the lower level entrance on the north and from the carport.
Budsberg said he did not want a two-story building, because it would require an elevator.
"But this two-level design won me over," he said.
"The lower level needs no direct supervision," he added, because it consists mostly of the Town offices, bathrooms, storage, utilities and a multipurpose room.
The library board is confident it can build the new facility for $2.3 million.
The space in the new library will allow expanding programs and events, particularly for elderly, Budsberg said.