Children's Library Fundraising Is 85%To Goal

by Judy Silberstein

(February 7, 2008) Three hundred families have already contributed to the Larchmont Public Library Children’s Room renovation fund, according to Library Board Chair Miriam Curnin. "We are at 85% of of our goal," she reported.

“The response has been phenomenal,” said Ms. Curnin. "We know it reflects the great affection and esteem with which our library patrons view the library.”

The Money

The goal of $2.7 million got a major head start with a $755,000 bequest from the estates of George and Margaret Burchell. Another boost came from the Village of Larchmont and the Town of Mamaroneck, whose boards pledged $1 million for infrastructure repairs and upgrades to modernize the 1962 building and make it energy efficient. An additional $585,000 came from other donations, large and small, including $25,000 from the Coords family and $50,000 from the Friends of the Larchmont Library.

That leaves around $400,000 - 15% - left to raise for the renovation.

Renovation Plans - Around 95% Decided

As for the renovation plans, they are about 95% decided on, said Ms. Curnin.

“We have just about settled on the exterior of the building and the layout of the room, though things are still subject to change,” she said. “We are still designing the area around the elevator, which is where we’ll have a place for kid’s coats, books and strollers.“

But the basic look is set – with large window bays bringing light into both the children’s room on the second floor and the Village Center below.

The plans were spurred by the Burchell’s bequest, which allowed the Library’s board to begin its extensive discussions, surveying of public interests and listening to parent groups as to what the children’s room should be.

“We learned from the community and from the staff as to needs and wishes for a dynamic, modern children’s room,” said Diane Courtney, the library director. In December, the public got their first looks at the architectural designs based on the community’s input. (See:New Plan Adds Drama, Light & Space At Children's Library.)

The new children’s room will have an area just for toddlers, the latest computers for children in the upper elementary and early middle school grades, enlarged and up to date fiction and non-fiction collections and an adaptable program space that will also be used by library and village groups in the evening.

Both Ms. Courtney and Ms. Curnin agreed that the new room will be a vital, welcoming space which will help children become lifelong readers.

Timing?

As yet there is no firm date for starting – the construction documents remain to be completed. However, there are infrastructure updates, such as rewiring, that can be phased in ahead of time. “I certainly hope that by the fall we will be well along in our infrastructure improvements,” said Ms. Curnin.

“And we would like to have all the money raised by mid to late summer,” she added.

At this stage, the emphasis is on raising money from library patrons and other community members who have all received brochures mailed out in December.(To read the brochure, see: Help Write a New Chapter for the Larchmont Library Children's Room.)

Ms. Curnin singled out for thanks Amanda Schlumberger, Carolyn Millstein, Jennifer Conley, Mary Beth Jordan and Frank Grant, who were responsible for the brochure.

To make a contribution or for further information contact Diane Courtney, Library director, at 834-1977.

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