An Appeal From Your Library Director

We are delighted so many of you have had the opportunity to see first-hand our spectacular new expansion that opened in April. The three new levels double the size of the existing building allowing us to meet the needs of the more than 250,000 community members who walk through our doors each year. It is thanks to your vision and generosity, and the commitment of our Board that such great strides have been made towards meeting our community's needs.

Back in the fall of 2005, when I first communicated to you about our library expansion program, I wrote in our newsletter that the construction bond would not cover all our costs. The bonds were designed to give us the basic physical structure, to be supplemented by an active fund-raising campaign throughout the community to support the furnishings and fixtures necessary to complete the project.

All was going well. We were fortunate to obtain construction bonds at a good rate (4.7%) in 2007. We established a development office which has worked diligently to close the gap. We received $155,500 through New York State legislative incentives; $481,000 from New York State Library construction grants through the State Dormitory Authority. And we raised $252,000 through generous private donations.

Unfortunately, the economic downturns of 2008 and 2009 hit us hard and compromised our ability to get over the final hurdle. As it stands today - and despite the generous contributions of many people - we are roughly $500,000 short of our fundraising goal, and we now face the prospect of opening the expanded and renovated library without sufficient furniture and fixtures. Federal stimulus funds are not available for this type of project, and all other municipal grant programs have been exhausted.

So we are making this appeal to you, the members of our community. If every household in the Nyacks could find it possible to give us a donation of $50.00, we could complete this worthy project. If all those who can afford a little more can do so to offset those who cannot possibly support us in this extra way, your cooperation would be greatly appreciated. For those who have already contributed, we sincerely thank you.

By contributing in this way you will be receiving a life-time bonus worthy of your contribution: a wonderfully designed, state-of-the-art public library. You will enjoy the expanded facility and all it offers, as well as the pride and satisfaction that come with giving to one of the cornerstones of community life in the Nyacks.

With sincere thanks,

Jim Mahoney
Library Director