Nearly $600,000 raised to stock new library

The two-month old "Next Chapter" fundraising campaign for the new city library is closing in on the million-dollar mark.

City Manager Jerry Bankston said recently that over 400 individual donations have been received for a total of nearly $600,000.

"To date, we're over halfway to our goal of $1 million," Bankston said. "We're very pleased with the number of people willing to contribute. To have over 400 individual contributions is a very, very positive thing."

Bankston said even small donations of $10 and $15 are appreciated because it indicates that the community values the library's services.

The money will be used to purchase 40,000 books and other learning materials to stock the 65,000squarefoot twostory building under construction on Las Posas Road. Book shelving and furniture are expected to be installed in the next two weeks, he said.

A firm opening date for the library has yet to be set, but Bankston thinks it may occur in mid to late February.

The fundraising campaign was launched in September.

-Michelle Knight