help the library tomorrow

You are invited to attend an important community meeting tomorrow, Monday, January 30th at Greenburgh Town Hall at 8 PM. The purpose of the meeting: to strategize how we can raise some private dollars to help our Greenburgh library.

Other libraries around the nation have has significant successes with fundraising. Last week I met with the Irvington Library Board. The Irvington Library received over one million dollars from residents to help them build their building. Every year they hold a very successful spelling bee contest. Funds go the library. In neighboring Dobbs Ferry - a woman donated 2 million dollars to the Dobbs Ferry library a number of years ago. The Greenburgh Library, in my opinion, is very special because it serves a regional population (almost half of the patrons who use the Greenburgh library live out of Greenburgh). I'm sure that if we wage an aggressive campaign - we'll be able to attract private donors from around the county.

The Greenburgh library, like other libraries around the region, state and nation, has seen their budgets cut. The Library Board has the legal power to spend funds allocated to them anyway they like. They decided to keep the library open six days a week. However - they cut the materials budget. No new books, new new DVDs, no materials. Library patrons can have access to new books via the Westchester Library system (which the Greenburgh library is a member of). However-- there will be a waiting period.

I am writing to area book stores asking if they would be willing to donate surplus new books and materials to the Greenburgh library. Town Councilman Kevin Morgan came up with this excellent idea. Suggestions have been made to encourage residents to purchase books, donate them to the library. Donors would have their names acknowledged in the books they purchase for the library. We should name rooms at the library for donors. Put up plaques on the wall acknowledging our contributors. We have an existing Friends of the Library and Greenburgh Library Foundation --also trying to help the library with their needs. The Friends organize an annual book fair. And, the Foundation has an annual fundraiser at the library featuring foods from great area restaurants. The initiative being organized will be in addition to their efforts.

The goal of the meeting Monday---to come up with fundraising ideas. To assign responsibilities to volunteers. To think out of the box. Google succcessful library fundraising ideas. Come to the meeting with the best suggestions.

If you want to help out - please attend the meeting. If you can't attend but want to volunteer please advise. If you want to make a donation to the library please make a check payable to Friends of the Greenburgh Library and send to Genie Contrata at the library.
PAUL FEINER