The Friends of the Chappaqua Library, a nonprofit and fundraising arm of the library, has approved more than $ 60,000 to pay for new furniture and tech tools for the renovated Chappaqua Public Library, located at 195 S . Greeley Ave.
The Friends fundraise throughout the year to support library initiatives that exceed the operating budget. The current construction has been going on since 2018, as part of the surety for all school buildings in Chappaqua. The library building is a school district building, but it is managed independently.
Requests for furniture from library staff began last October, as construction on the building was completed while planning to reopen after COVID-19. The final request was approved at the last Friends of their fiscal year board meeting on June 9.
The Council of Friends meets 10 times a year and is made up of volunteers. The team remained busy during COVID-19, meeting through Zoom, and even without regular fundraising events.
Funding included more than $ 35,000 for the new children’s room, including the personalized service desk, two built-in benches, and the upholstery of two sofas and a chair.
“The staff in the children’s room are delighted to sit at our beautiful new service desk in our bright room, thanks to friends,†said Robbin Friedman, Chief Children’s Services Officer. “With updated sofas and a brand new window bench, we can’t wait to see the community enjoy our new space as much as we do.â€
Additionally, Friends funding covered $ 15,000 worth of technology for the new Teen Room, including eight new Chromebooks, three drawing pads, and two Google Jamboards (identical to tools used in middle and high school).
Cathy Paulsen, Head of Teen Services, said: “The teens and I are thrilled with our new teen room. It has everything we could imagine. Thank you very much.”
The remaining $ 10,000 was allocated for new furniture in the study room, including a conference table, eight chairs and a glass whiteboard. The new study room is adjacent to the Teen Room, and furniture is being ordered.
With more and more customers wanting to sit outside, the Friends also funded four new outdoor tables and 16 new chairs, as well as a rented yard tent for July and August. The new outdoor furniture arrived at the end of June and the tent arrived on July 8th. Now all library programming can take place indoors or outdoors as needed.
The enclosed courtyard is open to all library users and access is available from the library gallery.
The Friends are back to active fundraising, with a virtual author event this week Tuesday night featuring “The Cellist,†Daniel Silva’s new spy novel; and a pop-up book market in the train parking lot on August 7 from 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting.
The Friends annual book sale also returns on April 25, promising over 30 miles of used books to buy.
The library is open to the public from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Comments are closed.