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Library puts out call for donors
The library has a month left to reach its fund-raising goal.
SHARON, Pa. — At the Community Library of the Shenango Valley, director Amy Geisinger is holding out hope.
With one month to go before the end of the year, the library has raised $52,000 in a drive to a $75,000 goal, Geisinger said last week.
“We hope, and believe, we’ll reach the goal,” she said. “We still have donations coming in.”
The library has found itself short on funds since the city of Sharon pulled back a few years ago on the amount of money it contributed to the library.
At one time, the library was part of the city. But the city decided in 2006 to drastically reduce funding, said the library’s board of directors president Larry Haynes. That, in turn, prompted the library to decide to become a stand-alone, nonprofit organization, he said.
Then, the library was in a better position to look for grants, said Geisinger.
Sharon still contributes to the library, which had asked the city for $120,000 for 2009. The city’s proposed budget allocates $102,000, which is unchanged from this year.
Geisinger said the library had asked for a larger donation so that it could expand outreach and services. The library wants to have mini libraries and book groups in senior centers, she said, and would like to offer crafts and other activities in the Hermitage area.
“But we understand Sharon’s financial situation,” she said. “They are supporting us any way they can,” she said, adding that part of the city’s contribution pays the lease on the library’s building on State Street. The city also takes care of major building maintenance, she added.
Hermitage also contributes to the library. This year, the library has asked for $120,000. Hermitage had not released its 2009 budget as of last week.
Geisinger said people can donate to the library by picking up a card at the building on State Street at Sharpsville Avenue or by going on its Web site, www.clsv.net.
The library also has a dedicated group of friends that raises money for it with used-book sales.
Friends of the Library’s Kay Joho said the group’s four-day sale in October raised $6,000. That means the group was able to donate $13,500 to the library this year, she said — it raised $7,500 at the similar May sale.
People can still buy books left over from the sale, Joho said. The sale is not open year-round, but anyone who would like to see the stacks can contact Friends through the library, she said.
Geisinger said the library is grateful for the donations.
“We have been so blessed that people are stepping up,” she said.
starmack@vindy.com