Another $100k for new Interlochen library - Record Eagle

Another $100K for new Interlochen library

BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com | 
Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2015 2:00 pm

Joselyn Fisher picks out books with her son Daniel Lyons at the the Interlochen Library. The library's campaign to raise $2.5 million to construct a new building recently received two $100,000 grants.

TRAVERSE CITY — Interlochen Public Library officials and volunteers are certain that by the end of 2016 they'll have the $2.5 million needed to build a new library. They're on a fundraising roll.

In June alone the campaign received two $100,000 grants and about $17,000 in pledges and donations to add to the $1 million raised last year.

One grant is a dollar-for-dollar challenge from Rotary Charities of Traverse City, which will match donations collected for the next year up to $100,000. The other, announced last week, is $100,000 from the Midland-based Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation.

"We were just overwhelmed. We're so happy, and it just sent all the volunteers into a mode of being thrilled and feeling like we can do it," said Mary Beth Hardwicke, co-chair for capital campaign. "We're on a roll."
Officials hope to have the total $2.5 million in hand by the end of next year so they can break ground on the building in spring 2017. They don't want to start construction until they're sure funding is in place for the full project, and they're on track to reach their goal.

"We're over half way, but I don't know the exact figure yet because money keeps coming in," IPL Director Renee Kelchak said. "We are very grateful. It's a wonderful thing."

The new facility will sit on 10th Street near Interlochen Fire Department and Green Lake Township Hall and within walking distance of Interlochen Elementary School. Hardwicke said a community room is an integral part of the building's design plans and will help make the new library a hub for local families.

"Not only will it allow the library to have the room that it needs and the space for people to come and sit comfortably and read and work, but the community room that will be attached to the library I think will be a tremendous resource for this area," she said.

Officials are channeling most of their energy into raising $100,000 in donations to match the Rotary Charities grant, and they've already had success.

"For a small library and a small community that has come together, this is just amazing," IPL board President Pat Thompson said. "In a year and a half, look how far we've come."


Visit newinterlochenlibrary.org for more information about the building campaign.