New Library Building Scrapbook

First Corporate Construction Materials Donation Received For New Library Building Project

Twenty-seven tons of Austin stone, for the exterior of the new Alvarado Public Library, was delivered on Friday, August 30th, 2002 at 10:15 a.m. This is the first donation of construction materials for the new library and it was made thanks to the efforts of Brian Wakefield, who is now serving library board President, and Johnson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Troy Thompson, and the generosity of Tom Moore of the Trinity Materials Corporation.

Mini-movie of the stone delivery.
(Use Windows Media or Real Player.)

Happy crowd receives delivery of
donate stone.

A nice group gathered to receive the donation of Austin stone, which was delivered by library board Vice-president, Brian Wakefield and another Johnson County Precinct 4 driver. Among those present were: Alvarado Chamber of Commerce President, Melodye Brooks; Library Director Leanna Cowan and her husband, Terry Cowan; local genealogist, Ruth Daniels; Library Board Secretary, Chris Davis; local genealogist and Library System Representative, Kathy Dendy and her husband, local photographer, Tex Dendy; City Councilwoman, Mellie Ferguson; Fran Green; Former Assistant Librarian, Kathy Hamilton; Former City Councilman, Chuck Krueger; Public Works Director, Bud Moore; and Library Board member, Beverly Short.

Library Board Vice-President, Brian Wakefield

    The new library building project will be partially funded by the Alvarado Economic Development Board, using money from the projected 4B sales tax revenue. The Alvarado Public Library board has committed $25,000, from local donations and library revenue, to cover part of the building project.
      In order to ensure a long lasting, sturdy foundation, for the new building, the budget for the project had to be increased by approximately $50,000. We are actively seeking grant funds and donations to cover the increased costs.
     The new library building will be 10,000 square feet in size and will be located at 210 N. Baugh St. near the Animal Control Office. This will mean an increase in space of 4,540 square feet over the old library building, which was condemned, March 19th, 2002 due to broken sewage pipes, electrical problems and irreparable structural damage.
     In our new building, thanks to the efficiently designed interior layout, we will be able to double the space in the Genealogy, Young Adult and Children's sections and add considerable space to the Adult and Reference areas as well.
     The library's new Community Meeting Room will have 1000 sq. feet of usable space and will feature a kitchenette, and a built-in puppet theatre. The Community Meeting Room will remain available for use at no charge to non-profit groups and may be rented, for a nominal fee, to those wishing to hold parties or other recreational events.

Tocker Grant Awarded to the New Alvarado Public Library!

     The library has received a $37,585.00 grant from the Tocker Foundation for new furniture and shelves.
     This will mean that library patrons can say goodbye to the old mustard yellow metal book shelves and mismatched furniture. All new frost white book shelving will be purchased, which has built in adjustable book ends.
     Comfortable, attractive seating will be placed in the new adult, young adult and juvenile reading nooks.
     A special clover leaf shaped play table and chairs, new wooden picture books shelves and a new large book display unit will be put in the children's section.
     The genealogy section will finally have a microfilm storage cabinet which will house the archived newspapers and other microfilmed records and a computer station for Internet and in-house research.
     A modular, ADA compliant circulation desk will replace the old awkward counter style desk and will feature a self-serve catalog look-up station and convenient book return drop near the library's entrance.

Local Family Gives $12, 500.00 to the New Alvarado Public Library Building Fund!

A local family, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated $12, 500.00 to the new Alvarado Public Library Building Fund. This very generous donation may mean that the project may have enough funds for completion even sooner than previously anticipated.

Our jobsite sign was donated by Kerry Horne of Horne Signs.
Thank you Mr. Horne!

Local Business Donates Construction Material

A local business, I-35 Sand Pit, has donated $9,000 worth of select fill dirt for the foundation pad of the new library building. Dirt work for the foundation will be one of the first things to take place once the bidding process in done and all monies have been collected for the completion of the new building project.

Another Sizeable Donation Received

Local historian and library supporter, Dorothy Schwartz, has recently donated $1,000 to the new Alvarado Public Library Building Fund. Mrs. Schwartz stated that she hoped others would see that people do care about the library project and that everyone in the Alvarado area should donate whatever they can afford.

Show Your Support and Sponsor a Square Foot of the New Library!

     In an effort to raise funds for the new library project, the public is being asked to donate $25.00 to sponsor a square foot of the new library building. Library Board Treasurer, Meg Barrow proposed the idea and has made colorful certificates to be given to sponsors in appreciation of their contribution to the library project. Sponsors' names will also be engraved on plaques which will be permanently displayed on the new library's Wall of Honor and are already being displayed online at the Wall of Honor.
     Sponsors may prefer to have their donation made "In Memory of" or "In Honor of" a loved one or friend. Sponsors may choose the location of their "Square Foot."
     The fund raising effort is off to a great start. Since it's inception on April 26th, we've had over 400 square feet of the new library sponsored.

Stake out you claim now so that you may "own" a choice piece of library real estate!

All of us involved in the library project would like to offer our gratitude to these generous community spirited people. Be sure to drive by and watch the progress of the new building project.