Library's Giving Tuesday campaign rakes in over $4,800

The Missouri River Regional Library raised $4,830 for renovations during its 2016 Giving Tuesday campaign.

With the collaboration of the community and the MRRL Library Foundation, the library had a successful first year building on the national charitable campaign. The community donated $2,415, and those funds were matched by the foundation, making the grand total $4,830.

Paula Schulte, library marketing coordinator, said Giving Tuesday is an addition to MRRL's end-of-the-year appeal, an additional fundraising effort where the Library Foundation is asked to make a contribution.

"We feel loved," Schulte said. "The Library Foundation and staff are overwhelmed by how generous our patrons are."

She said 60 percent of the donations received came from new donors.

The proceeds from the Giving Tuesday campaign will help restore the library's Teen Zone, purchase bin-style shelves for the Children's Center and purchase a WiFi hotspot for the Osage branch.

Renovations to the Teen Zone are first on the list, MRRL Director Claudia Schoonover said. A well-used area of the library, the Teen Zone needs some general renovations including storage space, seating and new rugs so it can continue to be an inviting place for teen patrons.

The other renovations will be put on hold until later in 2017. Schoonover said the picture book shelving is a bigger project that will take more time.

Those interested in giving can still donate at the library's website, drop a donation by the library or send a donation to the Missouri River Regional Library Foundation at P.O. Box 1285, Jefferson City, MO 65102.