By Meredith Stanton Vaselaar
The money stays here. There are three questions people have been asking: 1) When will the renovation start? 2) When will the renovation end? AND 3) Will the fundraiser money stay in Adrian?
For questions 1) and 2), the answers are: The renovation of the Adrian Branch Library building should begin the first week of February 2017; we are hoping that the work will be completed by May 2017, with an opening scheduled sometime in May (once the collection is moved back in and everything is in place). The project contractor, to be announced sometime on Tuesday, January 24, although not in time for this week’s issue, will be required to be finished with the renovation by June 2, 2017.
Question: 3) Will the fundraiser money stay in Adrian? The answer is: YES.
The money stays here.
Last summer, the Lismore Area Community Foundation (L.A.C.F.) offered to sponsor the Library fundraiser. The L.A.C.F. is a tax-exempt organization that is a member of the Southwest Initiative Foundation. By going through this foundation, all the money raised through the fundraiser must legally go to the Adrian Branch Library.
None of the money raised through the donation can be used anywhere else; the money must be used for the Adrian Branch Library and only the Adrian Branch Library. As we near the beginning of the renovation, the fundraising will continue for a couple more months. As mentioned in previous articles, as well as in letters to potential donors, and listed on the fundraising website, the money collected from donors for the Library project will be used for Library furnishings, including: shelves, desks, chairs, tables, children’s area, etc., as well as for labor and installation. The goal of the fundraiser is $80,000; thus far, $70,357 has been raised.
The donation money will be used solely for the Adrian Branch Library. The L.A.C.F. and the SWI Foundation both guarantee the use of the money for the Library, and legally all money raised through the fundraiser MUST go toward the Adrian Branch Library.
Each person/business/organization that makes a donation will receive a receipt from SWI Foundation, to be used for tax purposes. All donations are tax-deductible, and provide another step in ensuring that the donations are used solely for the Adrian Branch Library.
Being specific about where the money will be spent – at the Adrian Branch Library – is important as we continue with the fundraiser for the next couple of months. We have raised enough money to cover the costs of the furnishings. The $80,000 includes the costs of installation and labor. Will the $70,000 cover it? We hope so – but we won’t know for sure until the work is done. If we go over the $80,000 in costs, the county will pick up the rest. If we go under $80,000 in costs for furnishings, and the installation and labor for the furnishings, then the extra will remain in an account to be used at the Adrian Branch Library for special programs/materials. (If there is extra it will NOT be added to the operational budget at the Adrian Branch Library, it will be part of a special fund for the patrons/materials at the Adrian Branch Library.)
Nobles County is paying for all the repairs and upgrades for the building itself. None of the fundraising dollars will be used to fix the building – this means that NO donation money will go toward ADA compliant entry or restroom, nor will donations go toward electrical, heating, plumbing; no donation money will go toward ceiling fixtures, lighting, fans, etc.; no money raised through L.A.C.F. will go toward carpet, walls, paint, etc. All of these items will be paid for by Nobles County, and no donation funds will be used for these purposes. This was voted on and unanimously approved by the Commissioners in November 2017. All of this agreement is a matter of public record.
Again, it bears repeating: ALL donations to L.A.C.F. for the Adrian Branch Library will be used solely for the Adrian Branch Library. My boss, Clint Wolthuizen, and I are now looking at what shelving will be ordered, as well as other furnishings. The donations received through the fundraiser will be used for these furnishings.
Anyone donating to the project can have his/her name (and/or business/organization name) listed on the Library Wall of Honor (donations will NOT be used for the Wall of Honor); and donators can also request names to be added as memorials and/or tributes. No donation is too small – or too large – for someone to be listed on the Wall of Honor. We are SO grateful to everyone who has given to the Adrian Branch Library project.
Donations can be mailed to: Adrian Branch Library, PO Box 30, Adrian, MN, 56110; and checks must be made out to: “L.A.C.F.” Online donations can be made by visiting our webpage at: www.plumcreeklibrary.org/adrian
