Hoping for the Next Chapter… Or, Putting in a Bookmark…

In 2011, the Macksville City Library board began work to draw up feasibility plans for a library addition.  We love this former country church & one-room schoolhouse, with its ornate tin ceiling, BUT, our summer reading crowds were overflowing with kids!  (See this 2012 photo)  We now have architectural plans from William Morris Associates & have sought bids from numerous contractors. We are currently in talks with B&R Builders to hopefully make this dream a reality.

The Library Building fund was begun by Mrs. Irma Smith, who donated the current library building to the city in 1958.  For ten long years we have been raising donations specifically for the building fund through memorials, donations, raffles, ongoing book sales, Giving Tuesday campaigns through the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and other fundraising efforts.

After receiving some significant donations, we sent out plans for bids, and we were hopeful that we had raised enough funds for the project.  Then, COVID hit, and building prices skyrocketed.  At this time, we need $78,500 to sign on with the contractor.  An additional $13,000 would allow us to have a storm shelter in the addition, and $22,850 more would let us re-side the existing library to match the addition.  We have applied for a $25,000 matching grant through our regional library system, and are exploring other grant ideas, as well.

The new addition would more than double our space! It would bring us up to ADA compliance, & it would be more energy efficient. It would allow us more room for books, computers, meeting spaces, artwork by local artists, and most importantly, it would help us expand our programming for young and old!  The figures above do not include shelving or furniture for the completed addition, but we need to get the building before we fill it!

The Macksville City Library has books, audiobooks, magazines, free wi-fi & three patron computers. We have over 520 card holders, and in 2020 we held 27 programs.  Over the years we have received many grants & have offered programs such as: CPR & First Aid training, Safe Driving, Bike Safety, Fire Safety, Drink Think, My Plate, Mental Health, Heart Health, and outdoor programs focusing on birds, rocks, flowers, trees, hiking, pet care, dog training, and more. Summer Reading is for all ages, and we have a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, as well as Books for Babies.  For 2021-22 we are already planning a Babysitting education program, & multiple special outdoor programs to get kids outside!

Macksville’s Main Street is looking up.  The aging Lumber Yard and Walker Brothers’ buildings have come down in recent months, & new construction for a Fire Station is in the works.  We hope to join this revitalizing momentum for Main Street and our town.   And, time is limited, as contractors can’t hold bids indefinitely.

Help us turn the page & meet our fundraising goals.  Your tax-deductible donations & memorials can be sent to the Macksville City Library, Box 398, Macksville, KS 67557.