Scituate library campaign announces new fund-raising initiative

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

In an effort to fundraise for a new $12 million expansion and renovation of Scituate Town Library, the Library Foundation is starting a new program seeking long-term donors.

According to a release, the “1000 Homes for the Scituate Library Campaign” seeks to find 1,000 donors who will donate $1,000 or more over a four-year period to help the library reach its goal.

With luck, the campaign will help finance the library’s $5 million fundraising goal for the expansion, which will be matched by a $5 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The project would need an additional $2 million, most likely in the form of a request for a property tax override, to fund the remainder.

“So many people have expressed support for the project, and the 1000 Homes campaign is just one in a number of options we are creating to make it possible for people to donate to this cause,” said Capital Campaign co-chair Les Ball.

One way for people to donate is to give $20 a month ($5 weekly), over four years, which would add up to $1000.

While some people might give $250 each year, they could choose to donate $20 a month through an automatic payment from their bank.

“For the price of one designer cup of coffee per week…you can make a big difference in the success of this project,” Ball said in a release.

The project is only one of the ways committee members hope to get the community involved in fundraising for the renovation.

“In the coming months, budget-friendly activities for families, teens and seniors will be announced,” organizers said in a release.

So far, among the larger contributions has been a commitment of $25,000, or $500 a month from one donor.

Naming rooms, equipment, and other library components is also a viable option for fundraising.

For complete information about the project, the 1000 Homes program and on-going news, visit the library, or www.sl-renew.org.

For information on fundraising efforts, contact Les Ball at lesballscituate@gmail.com.