THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) launched Your Neighbourhood Link to the World, a $250,000 fundraising campaign in support of the new Mary J. L. Black Branch Library. Your Neighbourhood Link to the World is part of a long-range renewal plan to address significant infrastructure and capacity issues in TBPL’s four Library locations.
The $250,000 will be used to purchase essential library furnishings, equipment and collections to complete the new Mary J. L. Black Branch Library being constructed in Westfort.
Says Gina La Force, Chief Librarian of the TBPL; “We are very grateful to the City of Thunder Bay, as well as to the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario for providing us with the necessary capital funds to build the new Mary J. L. Black Library. Our goal now is to build on these significant investments to ensure that this state-of-the-art Library offers quality resource materials, technology, study areas and collections that Thunder Bay Library users expect and deserve.”
To help raise the needed funds, a new, community-based volunteer committee has been established with members representing a cross-section of ages, interests and sectors. Former TBPL Board Chair, Patrick Morash, was introduced as the newly appointed Chair of the committee. One of his first duties was accepting the first major campaign donation, along with La Force.
A lead gift of $50,000 was presented to the campaign by the Friends of the Library – a grass-roots volunteer group who support public library service in Thunder Bay. This unprecedented gift represents the single largest public donation ever made to the Thunder Bay Public Library.
“With this incredible donation, our fundraising committee is well on its way to achieving our $250,000 fundraising goal,” said Morash. “This donation is a true testament to what can be achieved when individuals are passionate and committed to a cause in their community. The Friends of the Public Library have raised this donation through a lot of hard work and we will certainly acknowledge their generous efforts through prominent recognition in the new Mary J. L. Black Library.”
The construction of the Mary J. L. Black Branch Library is the first priority in the long-range renewal plan for the overall Library system. The new Mary J. L. Black Branch Library will be a state-of-the-art literacy, lifelong learning and leisure hub for children, families and businesses in the Westfort neighbourhood and City of Thunder Bay.
Through Your Neighbourhood Link to the World, individuals, families, businesses and schools are being asked to make a one-time donation to the Mary J. L. Black Branch Library. Donations can be designated to a special area or feature of the new Library. Naming opportunities for rooms, equipment and materials exist for all levels of support starting from $50.00.
Donations are being accepted by mail, telephone, online or in person.
For more information, visit www.tbpl.ca or call 345-TBPL (8275)