TRAVERSE CITY -- Orange and white signs are popping up in lawns throughout Long Lake Township. Thanks to the effort of a group of tireless volunteers, the Long Lake Branch Library Door-to-Door Campaign is well on its way to visiting homes throughout the community to spread the word about their ultimate goal -- building a branch library in their own neighborhood.
More than a dozen volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods throughout the community to raise awareness and funds for a library to be built on property provided by Long Lake Township on North Long Lake Road.
"We have actually had people say 'we've been waiting for you, we want a sign too.' What a lovely way to be greeted," said Ann Laurimore who has been visiting homes in her neighborhood and placing "We Gave -- Will You" signs in the yards of contributors since late June when the campaign got under way.
"Our goal is to reach as many doors as possible and talk face to face with as many people as possible," said volunteer Linda Lishawa noting that the Long Lake area population has grown to more than 8,000 in recent years.
"We've had wonderful conversations and are able to clear up any misconceptions that residents may have about our branch library," she said.
After explaining that there will be no new taxes and the library will be equipped and operated by the Traverse Area District Library, most people are glad to get behind the effort, noted Lishawa who said she has collected
donations of $25, $50 and $100 from residents who had not previously donated to the building fund.
"The more people that give, the more the community is invested in seeing this library built," Lishawa said. The 3,670 square foot library will feature a children's alcove with raised story-hour stage, Internet access, study areas and other Traverse Area District Library services. Additional funding will add Phase Two that includes a 1,630 square foot community room.
With nearly $220,000 in pledges and cash donations from a variety of fundraising efforts and an estimated $150,000 pledged as in-kind contributions from local companies, the TADL-Long Lake Branch committee is more than half way to their goal of $695,000.
"We have been very close on receiving several grants but were unable to show a great community support for the project. This fundraising effort is really a grass-roots effort and will certainly show the enthusiasm the community has for building the library," said Mark VanderKlipp, a member of the Traverse Area District Library Friends board and chair of the TADL-Long Lake Branch committee.
"This is a first very visible sign that people are excited about having a library here," he said.
For more information about the Long Lake library, visit www.longlakelibrary.com or call 946-8569.
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