The folks at Bradford Area Public Library have been good this year, and they are hoping Santa and the community can help bring them a merry Christmas.
Library Director Lacey Love said Friday that the annual giving campaign is wrapping up at the end of the year, and they are $9,000 short of their goal.
“We actually increased our goal for 2019,” she explained, adding that it is $50,000. “Our goal used to be $40,000, but when the school district reduced our allocation last year, we raised our goal. This is the first time we’ve had to raise this much money.”
The funds are to help with the library’s operating expenses — gas, electricity, new technology, new books and movies and programs that aren’t covered by grants.
In an email sent out to library supporters on Friday, Love wrote, “Support from community members like you enables the library to maintain high quality services and provide dynamic programs that elevate our library to one of the best in the area. Your gift will help continue and expand the variety of programs and services offered, including field trips to book festivals and Broadway plays for the Teen Book Club; our Evergreen Elm biweekly book club; and upgrades to our growing collection of books, movies, and audiobooks.”
Love said she’s encouraged by the number of donors who have helped so far — 180 — and by raising as much as they have to this point.
“Usually we would be reaching this point at the end of the year,” she said.
She’s hopeful that momentum will carry through December and help the library reach its goal.
“It seems like people contribute at the end of the year for tax reasons,” she said with a laugh.
There are a lot of reasons to give to the library, not the least of which is the number of services it provides to the community.
“We’ve had so much going on at the library this year, I hope people realize what an impact we have,” Love said.
Programs are offered year-round for children and adults. Storytimes, an art club, a CARE for Children best baby playgroup and a creative share are some of the activities on tap for the month of December.
Love explained, “We have 4 meeting rooms available to rent. A lot of people from the community use those.”
Social groups use them for meetings, speakers will entertain an audience there, businesses might use a room for a meeting place and more.
“Our meeting rooms are pretty constantly in use,” Love said.
And for the everyday customers, the library offers free Wi-Fi and has 16 public computers to use, as well as plenty of reading areas and a used book sale in the lobby.
Donations to the annual campaign can be made at the library or through the library’s website, bradfordlibrary.org
