Community making library expansion project happen

To date, you have raised over $180,000 toward Your Library Transformation.

I can hear you now, “So, how much more do we need to raise?” The preliminary project estimate is $2,472,000, not including furnishings, fixtures, and equipment. Keep in mind that a good ahunk of this has already been secured — about $2 million — with the sale of the previous library building and other funds set aside for the project. We will have a more accurate estimate of how much is still left to be raised once a contractor has been awarded the bid and a project budget is produced.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. At Wednesday night’s special meeting of the library trustees, the bids were considered and a contractor was selected. I can’t tell you who was awarded the bid because they have not signed a contract yet. If you want to be the first to find out, write down this URL: ebonnerlibrary.org. Check it often for real-time updates.

The Your Library Transformation page on our website was updated this past week with a fresh new format and all of the latest project renditions, including a virtual tour of the children’s area and reading room. You can find answers to all your burning questions about the project, make online contributions, and recognize your neighbors who have contributed to the project. (Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Topaz, Garnet, and Quartz-level donors are acknowledged in the donor section on the Your Library Transformation web page.)

New details will be posted with every update we receive so that you know what we know as soon as we know it. While you are there, you can sign up for our new library newsletter, which includes monthly project updates.

Congratulations. You are making Your Library Transformation happen.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Branch Library, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

• Friday, May 26 — Teen Writers Club, 3 p.m. Serious and budding writers of all writing platforms are welcome on a drop-in basis to collaborate and exercise their skill. For information, contact Morgan 263-6930, ext 1245, or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, May 27 — Third annual Clark Fork Community Plant Swap, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Bring your plants and starts to share and adopt some new ones. Talk gardening with some fellow gardeners and learn about the Sandpoint Seed Library. At the East Bonner County Library District Clark Fork Branch, 601 Main.

- Saturday, May 27 — Organic Seed Saving, 1-3 p.m. Come and discuss organic gardening and seed saving. Bring food and seeds to share if you can. If you can’t, come anyway. At the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar. Information: Camisse Nitkowski 263-6248.

- Tuesday, May 30 — Mother Goose Reading & Singing is canceled.

- Tuesday, May 30 — Preschool Story Time is canceled.

- Tuesday, May 30 — Make It at The Library, 3 p.m. Kids and families create with robotics, circuitry, fiber arts, Legos and other projects.

- Wednesday, May 31 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Program is held at the East Bonner County Library District Clark Fork Branch, 601 Main.

- Wednesday, May 31 — Clark Fork Make It at the Library, 2 p.m. Kids make a variety of age appropriate projects. East Bonner Co. Library Clark Fork Branch, 601 Main St.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.