Although the library foundation is $1.5-million short of its $5-million fundraising goal, the chairwoman says it's well on its way.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published March 19, 2004
CLEARWATER - With the debut of the new Clearwater Main Library six weeks away, the Clearwater Library Foundation is still $1.5-million shy of its $5-million fundraising goal.
Donations for the $20.2-million library have slowed in recent months.
But Judy Melges, Clearwater Library Foundation trustee and capital campaign community chairwoman, said the foundation is well on its way.
Library staff members think the fundraisers will pull it off, too.
"They've got a lot of fundraisers and a lot of community support," marketing manager Carol Cortright said. "I don't have any doubt they'll reach their goal."
In a couple of weeks, the new library will host one of those fundraising events, First Night in the Stacks. At the party, Ruth Eckerd Hall's Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute will entertain guests in a Palm Beach ambience. Tickets start at $50 per person.
Partiers will be serenaded by pianists, a string quartet and a jazz ensemble. There will be a cash bar, and rich hors d'oeuvres will be served by Men in Black, local culinary experts.
The foundation's latest cookbook will be available at the party, which is underwritten by Northern Trust.
Donations should roll in after the event, too, Cortright said.
"What we expect is it will really inspire people when they get in and see how beautiful the library really is," she said.
They'll be able to climb the 90,000-square-foot library's four-story grand staircase and explore the rooftop terrace with views of the Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. Plus, they'll get a sneak peek tour of the library's offerings: a story time room, a local history center, a teen room, a computer lab, meeting rooms and galleries.
By last year, the foundation was to have contributed $3.4-million in cash. But it came up at least $1-million short.
That forced the city to contemplate opening the library without drywall, doors, carpet, lighting or furnishings in some areas - all of which was to have been paid for by donations.
But commissioners didn't like the idea and approved a $1.13-million loan to cover construction bills.
Not counting the loan, the city is footing $15.2-million of the tab for the library. Construction is complete, and the building awaits minor finishing touches. Thanks to the city's loan, by the time the library opens, patrons will be sinking into cozy club chairs, studying at natural maple tables and researching at contemporary computer desks.
The foundation has harnessed a total of $3.5-million, including pledges, and has donated $2.5-million in cash. Cash donations can be hard to come by because many donors prefer to spread their gifts over several years.
A huge chunk of the donations came by way of a $2-million cash gift from Jack and Ruth Eckerd, founder of the Eckerd Drug Stores chain, and his wife.
It was originally supposed to be a gift of matching funds. But the couple believed in the project and decided to plunk down the whole sum when donations came in more slowly than they expected, said the Eckerd family's financial adviser, Les Smout.
Contributions have been made by former Mayor Rita Garvey and her husband, Tim; the Morton Plant Mease Foundation; Jim and Donna Harper; the Doyle Family Foundation; and the Friends of the Clearwater Library, a separate nonprofit group supporting the library.
"There aren't many government projects that have so much support that make people want to donate their money," said John Szabo, director of the Clearwater public library system. "Libraries are special that way."
First Night in the Stacks party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. April 3 in the new Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Tickets start at $50. For information or reservations, call 462-6800, ext. 262.
