Portage Public Library Moves Forward with Building Expansion

Plan for Portage library expansion moves ahead; board approves consultant for fundraising.  (Portage Daily Register, 8/9/2011)

Excerpt:    Portage Public Library board members threw their support and the library's resources behind a 6,000-square-foot building expansion, voting Tuesday to hire a consultant to help raise $1 million to $1.25 million through a nine-month community fundraising campaign.

"So that's a big forward step," board President Rich Davis after the vote.

Money for the expansion at 253 W. Edgewater St. would come from several sources:

• Up to $300,000 from the Bidwell Foundation, a local charitable institution that helped fund the original library building's construction with a $750,000 grant in 1995.

• Several hundred thousand dollars from the city of Portage. Library board members plan to make an appearance before the Common Council on Aug. 25 and present a case. Library Director Shannon Schultz said the idea was to pay for the expansion without new taxes.

The rest of the money would come from the community. To guide it in its fundraising efforts, the board voted to pay Madison, Ind.-based Woodburn, Kyle & Co. $90,000 plus some expenses such as partial cost of air travel. In return, the consulting company will provide its expertise as well as services and items such as volunteer training, campaign materials, a donor database, assistance in writing corporate proposals and news releases.

Related posts:
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)