NORTH LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
A Destination for Literacy and Lifelong Learning
For over a century, the Library in the heart of Polson has connected our community to the world. The original Polson City Library was founded in 1919 and moved to the current facility in 1989. In 2010, it became an official tax district, and the Library was renamed the North Lake County Public Library District. The Library serves our community through adult and youth reading programs, technology access, public meeting room space, and other engaging programs. But with nearly 6,000* library card holders and a growing community, the current facility has reached the ceiling of what it can offer.
POLSON LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Supporting the North Lake County Public Library
The North Lake County Library Foundation was founded in 1988 to build private support, enhance the visibility of our Library’s impact and strengthen the public’s commitment to a fully funded Library system. The Foundation is partnering with the Library to bring the “Next Chapter Campaign” to life.
Library Launches Next Chapter Campaign
Love of learning and literacy shine at the North Lake County Public Library, and its transformation into a modern facility will light the way for the entire community to reach full potential.
“The people of Polson and the surrounding communities rely on the library as a destination for young children and parents, a reliable place for technology help and a place to unwind,” says North Lake County Library Foundation President Connie Brownell. “With this exciting new project, we will create new space and programs that are accessible and available to even more families and individuals.”
The foundation has launched the Next Chapter Campaign to raise $2 million in community support to fund the strategic renovations that will increase the library’s public space by over 2,000 square feet and bring ADA improvements to the entrance, the restrooms, and throughout the library. The project also will expand children’s programming and make room for a creative Maker’s Space, a 3-D printer and additional computers.
“These improvements are vital to the library expanding its services and welcoming more people,” says Library Director Abbi Dooley. “And they are possible without moving locations or demolishing our current building.” Added square footage will come from the renovation of the vacated Sandpiper Art Gallery that once shared space with the library. With 6,000 library card holders and 500 youth programs held each year, the need for a modern library facility must be addressed now. “As a center of literacy and lifelong learning, we must transform into a contemporary library,” Brownell says. “The Next Chapter Campaign will allow us to modernize and provide more literacy programs, greater access to technology, and a welcoming place for our community to gather.”
Next Chapter Campaign to Focus on Personal Approach
The North Lake County Library Foundation board, community leaders and library staff are in the early phases of the $2 million Next Chapter Campaign. Volunteers and staff will take time to engage one-on-one with Lake County’s best philanthropic leaders – individuals, corporations and foundations that value and want to advance the North Lake County Public Library’s mission and service to the community. Thus far, the campaign is being led by the volunteers below:
Next Chapter Campaign Committee
Connie Brownell: President
Cindy Willis: Vice President
Nancy Armistead: Secretary
Ryan Gage: Treasurer
Becky Peltz: Project Manager
Brittany Simonich
Maggie Newman
Mike Mitchell
Polson Library Foundation | nlclfoundation@gmail.com | P.O. Box 74 | Polson, MT 59860