Substantial personal donation given for new library
Sue Tiller, of Tiller’s Furniture in Prairie du Chien, donated $50,000 last week to the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library fundraising campaign. She is shown seated in one of two chairs she and her siblings donated to the library in 1999 in honor of the 50th anniversary of her parents, Franklin and Patricia Tiller. Also pictured are Library Director Nancy Ashmore (back, left) and Library Board President Linda Munson. (Photo by Correne Martin)
Prairie du Chien’s Memorial Library Capital Campaign received a generous personal donation of $50,000 from Major Sue Tiller.
Earlier this year, the city announced a $1.5 million Capital Campaign to match a $1.5 million contribution to the project by the common council. The project, estimated at $3 million, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2017.
“I remember walking, so many times, straight down Minnesota Street to the library, and then coming home with all my many borrowed treasures,” said Tiller, a local business leader, proud 20-year Army veteran and past president of the Friends of the Library. “I was introduced to so much growing up from the library but, most of all, I remember how safe and warm I felt just being there, reading there, among all the books. So, I can’t think of a better place to give support to than our little library, because it’s time to make it even bigger and better.”
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 the necessity for library staff to be present. Technology will be incorporated throughout the building, which means that not only the program room but also the smaller study rooms may be used for online meetings and classes. The library will be able to display art and have cultural displays that have not been possible before.
“We are very honored and delighted that the first major personal gift is from a Prairie du Chien native,” Library Board President Linda Munson said. “This gift truly represents a very large move forward as we begin our first steps toward raising $1.5 million.”
A $125,000 donation from Design Homes was presented last week.
If you would like more information on the proposed library expansion project, or would like to discuss making a contribution to the capital campaign, contact the library at (608) 326-6211. All donations are tax deductible
