DURANGO, Colo. - The New Durango Public Library Fundraising Committee has achieved its initial goal to raise $750,000 to fund the new Durango Public Library.

The amount represents the gap between the city’s bond sale proceeds and additional city funding and the budgeted cost for the site acquisition and development, library construction and furnishing of the approximately $19 million facility. The money raised by the committee, operating under the auspices of the Friends of the Durango Public Library, an established 501 (c) (3) philanthropic organization, enables the project to include a number of services requested by the community, including larger program/community rooms, more computers for public access and more complete furnishings.

Launched in June 2007, the New Durango Public Library building fund effort has received very strong support with more than 300 individual contributions. Key leadership gifts include $200,000 from the Ballantine Family Fund and Foundation, $100,000 from the RBR Foundation, $50,000 from La Plata Electric Association, $28,000 from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and $25,000 from Durango High Noon Rotary. The Reading Club of Durango, which was instrumental in the founding of the Durango Public Library 101 years ago, also raised more than $6,000.

As part of the $750,000 campaign, the committee held a kick-off dinner in September 2007, an author’s tea at Blue Lake Ranch in Fall 2007 and a jazz benefit early this summer. Local businesses, particularly the banks, contributed to the fund and Mrs. Camp’s Town Ladies and Gents passed the hat at the Spring Strater Hotel tour.

Four Colorado Foundations have provided grants:  the Gates Family Foundation ($75,000), the Boettcher Foundation ($50,000), El Pomar Foundation ($25,000) and the Coors Foundation ($10,000).

Although it has achieved its initial goal, the committee notes that fundraising for library services will continue for another 12 months. Those wishing to contribute can visit www.101campaign.org for more details about the donor levels and plans for acknowledging donors, as well as to view plans for the new library spaces. 

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable under current laws and donors can use a credit card or PayPal.  Gifts of $200 and more are eligible for Region 9 Enterprise Zone credit. Checks may be made out to: New Building Fund, Friends of the Durango Public Library and mailed to Clark White Associates Accountants, Post Office Box 1619, Durango, Colo. 81301. 

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