Dorr Township Library Director Natalie Bazan has announced the fund-raising campaign on behalf of the Then and Now Historical Library addition will begin July 1.
Bazan and Library Board President Peg Otto told the Dorr Township Board last month they want to oversee a project in which an addition is built at the library on 18th Street to house the historical and genealogical service.
Bazan said the cost for the project has been estimated at between $45,000 and $55,000, but she’d like to have the facility built without using tax dollars.
Dorr Township Library every year lately has been involved with the ArtsAlive competition, in which the grand prize is $4,000 for raising the most support.
Bazan, in the library‘s newsletter, appeals for support from the public.
“We are asking for you to help if you can,” she wrote. “Starting July 1 you will be able to go on our web site, Facebook page or just come in and donate to the fund through our 2015 ArtsAlive competi- tion.”
She said a $1 donation = 1 vote, $50 =50 votes. Those who finish in the top five will be awarded up to $4,000 in prize money.
“Every dollar donated through this competition will come back to the Then and Now building fund,” the library director said. “We know that this is an ambitious goal, but please remember that Then and New Historical Society serves all of Northeastern Allegan County. We encourage you to share this with your friends, family and anyone who might be interested in helping to grow and improve our historical society.”
Then and Now has an archive of historic photographs of events, people and places. Visitors can read copies of the Wayland and Penasee Globe from decades ago and get a lot of help on genealogy and personal history projects. The service includes plat maps of the area, deeds, marriage, birth and death records.
Then and Now is currently housed in the old township library building on 142nd Avenue, across the street from the township hall. Bazan has indicated that Linda Stoepker and her group of volunteers would be more than happy to move out of their aging quarters because they don’t know how much longer they can stay there.
The Township Board supports the move because it has been allowing Then and Now to use the facility rent and utilities free because it is a non-profit service.
Township Treasurer Jim Martin, while acknowledging his support for the historical library, noted that its costs have been challenging for the township.
“It has short hours and we’re paying for utilities constantly,” he said.
Bazan said one potential donor may be willing to contribute as much as $5,000 to start things moving. If Then & Now can move out, it is likely the township will try to sell the building and adjacent parking lot.