'A Library Garden for Everyone'
Investing in the Future of Outdoor Programs & Events at Our Library
Dear Friends, Patrons & Supporters of New Castle Public Library,
The time has come! It is exciting to announce that the design for a new Garden Gathering Area created by George Ludewig of Breckstone Architecture recently gained approval from the city’s Historic Area Commission and received its Building Permit!
With all of our ducks - er, owls - in a row… We’ve announced our goal publicly and are kicking fundraising for this great project into gear!
You may already have seen our ads in The Weekly or on social media, announcing tomorrow’s Giving Tuesday as the official start of the campaign…
In order to add space for programs and gatherings, to reduce the upkeep of the garden required of staff, and to enable it to welcome people of all ages and abilities, we are building A Library Garden for Everyone.
Please visit FriendsGarden.org to Learn all about the Project and how YOU can help to Make It a Reality!
The total cost of this project will be about $65,000. Some of that has already been raised and spent to get the design and other preliminary work done. Now, full funding is needed before the Friends - an all-volunteer non-profit with an annual budget less than 1/6 of that total - can commit to construction.
As we pursue grants and every funding opportunity we can for this project, the Friends are also turning to the New Castle Public Library community to offer everyone a chance to invest in this vision for our library’s future. Donations of any size are welcome, and every single gift brings the project a step closer to breaking ground.
Here are a few concrete examples of what gifts of any size can contribute:
$5 covers forty pounds of concrete,
$15 covers fifty pounds of aggregate,
$25 covers one of the bricks for for the permanent bench seats,
$60 covers one labor-hour for construction,
$100 covers hardware for one of the footings needed underneath,
$250 covers adding the ramp between sidewalk and new patio, and
$500 covers part of a bluestone cap for the permanent seating.
Donations through the Capital Campaign page at FriendsGarden.org go 100% to the Garden Project, and are 100% tax-deductible.
The Friends have partnered with Delaware Gives to accept donations securely online. Thanks to DE Gives, even when patrons do not elect to cover processing fees, those fees are limited to below the normal market rate. Donations can also be made in person or sent by mail, to New Castle Public Library, 424 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720. (Please just be sure to mark any checks as for the “Garden Campaign” or “Garden Project.”)
Giving Tuesday, tomorrow, is the official kick-off - and it would be great to get a running start! After that, the Friends will continue to raise funds at book sales and other events until the goal is reached.
Each gift is an investment in the future of outdoor programming at our library, a statement of support for this wonderful institution, and a step toward building the momentum this Campaign will need to bring its vision to life!
Please visit FriendsGarden.org on Giving Tuesday - or any day - to learn more and to get involved with this exciting project!
Other Ways to Help the Garden Project
As the Friends spread the word about this project in the community, in order to meet the goal, Ambassadors are needed to maximize the campaign’s reach!
We also recognize that not everyone who supports the vision of this project may be able to contribute to it financially.
You can help make the Campaign a Success - especially tomorrow, during Giving Tuesday - by:
Forwarding this email to friends or family who use or support the library!
Sharing campaign messages on social media! (Follow NCLF: Facebook | IG)
Taking friends to visit the library’s current garden, then check out the poster-sized version of the new Gathering Area design and campaign info inside!
Sharing our Campaign Page link - FriendsGarden.org - wherever you can!
With the support of a great community, Friends know that we can achieve great things for our beloved library, its amazing staff, and the thousands of people who count on it and them for learning, engagement, connection and so much more.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out by email.
Thank you for reading, and for being a supporter of New Castle Public Library.
Sincerely,
Matt Alexander
President & Campaign Lead
New Castle Library Friends
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A Couple Quick Reminders While You’re Here…
The NCLF Board would like to host a Member & Volunteer Appreciation Party on Friday, December 13, featuring the ‘Return of the Preview Sale,’ but needs enough people to RSVP. If you’re interested in hanging out with friends and refreshments, while getting exclusive early access to the Winter Festival Book Sale, please register online by 12/7!
The Winter Festival & Market Book Sale is on 12/14! This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. If you can help out, please email Book Sales co-chair Susan Swansburg. Thanks!
