3M donates $150K to library
On Tuesday, 3M made a large contribution of $150,000 to the Prairie du Chien Library Capital Campaign. Library director, Nancy Ashmore; President of the Library Board of Trustees, Linda Munson; and City Administrator Aaron Kramer accepted the donation. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Ashmore, 3M Human Resources manager Shelly Gruber, Linda Munson, 3M Plant Manager Steven Kleist, and Aaron Kramer. (Photo by Caitlin Bittner)
The Prairie du Chien Memorial Library Capital Campaign has taken a giant leap forward with a $150,000 donation from the 3M Foundation. A presentation of the donation was held on Tuesday, July 26, at the library.
“As I have said many times, the city of Prairie du Chien is truly blessed with many businesses and industries which are on the cutting edge of technology, innovation and philanthropy,” noted library board president Linda Munson, who is also a 3M retiree. “This contribution from 3M is unique in that a majority is a cash donation, and the remainder will be materials used for the expansion project that 3M manufactures and will donate to the actual construction. Overall, it is a really interesting and beneficial concept.”
With the gift from 3M, the Capital Campaign has passed the $900,000 mark in grants and donations, with a goal of $1.5 million.
“We can see the finish line coming into focus,” City Administrator Aaron Kramer said. “My plan is to unveil the overall financing plan for the entire project in September, so we will see a concentrated push to increase the overall donations, contributions and grants as we approach that date.”
100 Families Initiative
The Capital Campaign is also currently accepting participants in the “100 Families” program. Donors will be asked to contribute $1,000 over a five-year period, to be paid in monthly ($16.67), quarterly ($50), or annual ($200) tax-deductible donations. The 100 Families Initiative has the potential to raise over $100,000 toward the entire capital campaign. In addition, each family will have their names listed in the children, teen, or adult reading areas. For more information, contact the Library at 326-6211.
The Library expansion and modernization project is aimed at bringing the facility into the 21st century with expanded areas for programming and books—as well as quiet reading areas, access to technology, and separation of staff work areas from public areas. The project will also allow the facility to be used outside normal library hours without library staff needing to be present. Technology upgrades will allow for online meetings and classes in a large conference room and smaller study rooms. Groundbreaking for the project is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2017.
To provide additional information about the Capital Campaign, the library project, and how individuals and businesses may contribute to the fundraising efforts, a website is available at www.prairiedu chien.info/LibraryExpansion.html. If you would like more information, call 326-6211. Every gift to the library is an important step in this process. All donations are tax deductible.
