Library fundraising efforts bring check from PennEnergy
SAXONBURG — The South Butler Community Library capped a successful fundraising campaign last week with a $10,000 check from PennEnergy Resoucres.
Amanda Peterson, stakeholder relations manager for the independent oil and gas company, presented the check to library board members Friday, Jan. 13 at the library, 240 W. Main St.
Kim Davidek, president of the board, said the library’s fundraising drive, from mid-November through the end of December, raised $21,750 from 207 donors.
“With our wonderful relationship with PennEnergy, we will make up to $10,000 from them,” Davidek said. “Our goal was $28,000. Thanks to everyone, we will have reached $31,750 with the check.”
She said the library sent out mailings and emails about the campaign.
The contributions all came from individuals, board member Ramona Baker said. They ranged from $5 to $500 and everything in between.
Michelle Lesniak, the library director, said the funds raised will go to good use.
“We are doing expanded evening hours. We have adult staff to teach computer and technology classes. We’re able to increase the number of items we are able to lend out. And we will be able to aid speakers and workshops.”
“We are also looking to continue the fine-free for late book returns policy,” Lesniak said.
“We are the first to do that in the county,” she said. “Other libraries would like to go fine-free, but late fees are needed for income and already factored into their budgets.”
Peterson said this is the third year PennEnergy has matched funds up to $10,000 to the library.
The company, which operates in Armstrong, Beaver and Butler counties, has a community investment budget to make contributions to municipalities.
“Part of my role is to attend municipal meetings. A representative of the library board was there, and we got to talking,” Peterson said.
She added a contribution to the library, in her opinion, would do the most good for the amount of money contributed because the library serves residents of Saxonburg and Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson, Penn and Winfield townships.
“This location serves a large number of folks that work and live in these municipalities,” Peterson said. “The programming they offer here is outstanding and has a large impact on a variety of stakeholders.
Lesniak stressed the end of the most recent campaign is not an end to the library’s fundraising. The library must provide $59,000 toward its annual budget.
The library will bring back its mini-golf fundraiser April 14 and 15 and its Booktoberfest on Oct. 22.
Lesniak said the board in November approved the library’s three-year strategic plan covering 2023 to 2025.
“Part of the plan concentrates on reconfiguring library space to create quiet corners and increased outreach to the community,” she said.
Other changes include expanding the library’s hours to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. An extra staff member had to be hired to fill the evening hours. Lesniak said this was in response to users’ requests for longer evening hours.
Other programs at the library include its ongoing puzzle exchange program, which runs through the end of January, where patrons can drop off a puzzle and take another home.
The library will have the second in its series of maker and craft sessions for teens and adults at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Participants will make a maze album. Lesniak said no experience is needed, but registration is. Register by calling the library at 724-352-4810 or visiting the library’s website.
Lesniak said the library is restarting its book club, in hiatus since the coronavirus pandemic, at 7 p.m. Feb. 2. The library has extra copies of the book picked for the first meeting, “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig available. Registration is required and can be made by calling the library at 724-352-4810 or visiting the library’s website.
Lesniak said the library still hosts Chess Club at 1 p.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday Mahjong games and the Jane Austen movie club which will meet at 1 p.m. Jan. 27.
Also, the library has launched its 2023 library challenge for teens and adults. Readers can choose from different genres and win prizes for completed books in such categories as contemporary fiction and self-help.
She added construction of the library’s backyard pavilion is slated to begin soon. Announced last summer, the pavilion is a joint project between the library, the Saxonburg Rotary Club and Armstrong Farms.
The $55,000 structure will be used for children's programs, for use by community members and organizations and as a meeting place for Main Street shoppers to relax.
Lesniak said the building permit process is almost complete, and construction will begin soon with an estimated completion date in four to five weeks.
