The Martha's Vineyard Times

Pledge puts West Tisbury Library fund raising past half way mark

September 27, 2011

File photo by Susan Safford

The West Tisbury Library Foundation Inc. announced Tuesday that a pledge of $300,000 has brought the library past the 50 percent mark in its goal for private donations toward expansion and renovation of the long-outgrown library facility. The donors, who requested anonymity, have the right to name one of the library's rooms when the facility reopens after renovations in 2014, according to a press release.

"News of this gift has been enormously encouraging, and we are extremely grateful to these generous members of our community," Foundation chairman Hunter Moorman said. "Private giving now stands over $750,000, and continues to rise."

The seed money for the project came from a building fund amassed over the years by the Friends of the West Tisbury Library, which is leaving the capital campaign in the hands of the much younger West Tisbury Library Foundation Inc.

The latest pledge came on the heels of a recent $50,000 pledge from a West Tisbury family that will name the Children's Reading Porch, as well as a $150,000 gift that will name the Friends Room. Other naming opportunities are still available and are listed at the foundation's website, wtlibraryfoundation.org.

In addition to $1.5 million in private funds, the $6 million library renovation and expansion project will be funded from two other sources: a $2.98 million construction grant from the state, approved last July, and a $1.5 million contribution from the town that will be asked of voters at town meeting in April 2012.