Upcoming fundraisers set for library projects
RANDOLPH — Librarian Peggy Leiting doesn’t shush much anymore - if she ever did.
Although there are quiet spots and a sense of decorum still at the Lied Randolph Public Library, there’s always a lot of activity and excitement, too.
And the library wants to ramp it up a notch with two projects it is currently raising funds for - an outdoors instrument library and additional MakerSpace equipment.
“The community support gives us direction to know where we want to go and what maybe our community is missing and how we can fill in those gaps,” Leiting said. “It’s an ongoing thing of what are we looking for next?”
Proceeds from the upcoming Knights of Columbus fish fry will go to support the outdoor instrument library. The event is set for 5-7:30 p.m., Friday, March 4, at the city auditorium. Volunteers will serve pollock, fries, beans, coleslaw and dinner roll for a free will donation.
Leiting said the instrument library is slated for the front lawn space near the reading garden and will be open to the public year round. Initially, a cadenza (similar to a xylophone), small babel drum, soprano pentatonic free chimes and congas will be installed.
Along with fundraising, Leiting applied for a $3,800 grant from the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund to purchase instruments.
“I haven’t heard yet on that so fingers crossed,” she said.
Other events have added to fundraising totals including a wine tasting event last fall that raised $2,000 and proceeds from the annual cup-in-hand tournament that raised $1,000.
In total, Leiting would like to raise $8,000-$10,000 for the project and got the idea from seeing instruments available in small-town parks.
“It’s a passive activity that people don’t have to put on their schedule. They can do an activity on their terms,” Leiting said.
Many adults are looking forward to the expansion of MakerSpace equipment at the library.
Patrons got a taste of the equipment having a vinyl cutter, laser cutter and sublimation printer and heat press, and design computer at the library’s Innovation Studio for four months last year on loan.
The library was awarded a Nebraska Library Commission grant of $4,831 late last year which purchased the heat press and printers.
“We just printed off our first thing (last week),” Leiting said.
The next big piece of equipment the library would like to add is a laser etcher which nets about $28,000. Some accommodations also need to be made to the Innovation Studio to make appropriate space and have proper ventilation so the overall fundraising goal is $50,000.
Proceeds from the library’s annual rummage sale will be earmarked for MakerSpace equipment. The event is slated for April.
Leiting is pursuing a Thrivent Live Generously donation to help with supplies and expenses for both the fish fry and garage sale fundraisers.
Local businesses and families have donated to both the instrument library and Makerspace projects with gifts ranging from $500 to $2,000 each.
“We take smaller gifts, too. All of it is appreciated,” she said.
Today’s modern library is so much more than just books and the stereotypical librarians hushing patrons.
“The more programs we have, the more people get in and see the other things we do and I think that helps,” Leiting said.
