Hot Springs Library holds fall fundraiser and sale

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Library was able to raise nearly $1,200 at their fall fundraiser on Saturday to help combat the projected revenue shortfall in their budget.

The fundraiser consisted of a breakfast, prepared by Linda Landrum, and a garage sale at the library.

The breakfast included bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, cinnamon rolls, sausage, biscuits, and everything under the sun for a five-dollar donation according Library Director Kim Brooks. She said that the breakfast was a good bargain for the people of Hot Springs.

“The food was delicious,” Brooks said. “Even at the end when I finally got to eat, it was still delicious.”

Brooks was pleased with the turnout and appreciated all of the donations. She enjoyed listening to the music, provided for free by Forever Country, while she ate and mingled with guests.

“It’s a great service the band offers,” Brooks said. “They make the breakfast a lot of fun.”

Breakfast also included a raffle. The ten items were donated by local businesses. Raffle items included gift certificates at local businesses, a massage, and a gift box created by a local craftsman.

Community members had been donating to the library for the past two or three weeks for the yard sale according to Brooks.

“People are usually quite generous with the yard sale,” Brooks said. “You always have the people who will pay you $20 on a cheese grater to help you out.”

Brooks appreciated all the help that volunteers were able to give.

“The volunteers showed up early in the morning to help us out,” Brooks said. “They were there at the end of the day to help us clean up.”

The Library Board of Trustees also donated their time and efforts to help make the fall fundraiser a success.

“Our goal was $2,000,” Brooks said. “But that was a real long shot. I am glad we had such a good turn out and I’m thankful for everyone who helped out.”

Although she is satisfied with the efforts, she plans on doing more to offset the revenue shortfall projected in the current budget. By Brooks’ calculation, the budget is $6,000 short of projected expenditures.

“The library is going to have to limit spending,” Brooks said. “We are going to have to limit book purchases, maintenance, and training workshops for staff.”

In the fall the library asked for a mill levy that did not pass. It would have given the library additional funding. The failed mill levy did not discourage Brooks. She has more planned to raise money for the library.

“I want to plan more fundraisers here at the library,” Brooks said. “I’m not sure what all we want to do, but every bit helps. I also plan on looking for more grants and that type of aid so I can fund programming and maybe bring speakers to the library.”

She hopes to find a way to make capital improvements in the library. She said that the library had a need for things such as shelving and covered storage.

Aside from the capital improvements, she sees a need to help improve other aspects of the library.

Brooks said she hopes to get enough money through these sources to have more programming offered by the library.

“Programming means more services for the public,” Brooks said. “Tax preparation, pre-school programming, adult education, and a makers space for artist - that is what I would like to offer more of for the community.”