ELANCO Library to hold fundraisers

Coming out of the ELANCO Library Autumn Jubilee, fundraisers are $2,000 away from the $20,000 match the organization has been offered. Plans are to use the funds to renovate the children's area, turning a storage closet into an education space for preschoolers, and to close the area in early 2024 so construction may begin.

To continue the fundraising efforts, organizers are planning a number of events for Saturday, Dec. 2. "(It) will be a big day at the library because the Friends of the Library will have their book sale upstairs for adults and children," said library director Anna D'Agostino. On the main level, a yard sale will be held. Both the book sale and yard sale will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the lower-level board room, a music and movement story time for preschoolers will be held at 10:30 a.m., and Pepper, a trained Labrador retriever READ dog, will visit at 2 p.m.

The book sale, which will feature books of all types for people of all ages, is the Friends of the Library's biggest yearly fundraiser.

The yard sale was born when a decision was made to replace toys in the new preschool area. "(Library staff members) were cleaning out the toys and games, and most of them are in really good shape," said Susan Burke, a member of the ELANCO Library fundraising committee, who added that riding toys will be among the items to be sold. Burke noted that holiday-themed items, some of them new with tags, will also be included in the yard sale. D'Agostino pointed out that original works of art by local artists, including paintings of landscapes, will be featured in the sale.

Beginning in November, the library has an ornament giving tree on display. Those wishing to donate may remove an ornament and take it to the front desk. Ornaments are designated in three nominal amounts. "It can pay a children's book fine or contribute for children's materials," said Burke, who added that the fundraiser is designed for those who want to give but may prefer not to attend a gala or other event.

The library will also be giving away a children's bicycle. The bike is a 20-inch Batch children's bike with easy-to-steer handlebars and an adjustable seat. A Bontrager helmet will be included. Tickets for the giveaway may be purchased at the library. The drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 18.

"At this point, our focus is the renovations and the furnishings (for the new preschool space)," said Burke. "We can't do it piecemeal, so we decided, 'Let's just do it and do it right and fundraise for it.'"

More information about the ELANCO Library may be found at http://www.elancolibrary.org.