Foundation Raises $3 Million
Thanks to a generous gift from Michael and JoAnn Henneman, pictured below, the Library Foundation has met its $3 million fundraising goal to help build a new state-of-the-art library.
The campaign got under way with a $1 million challenge gift from an anonymous donor. Honorary campaign chairs Kyle and Phyllis Robeson added a pledge of $500,000; the new library’s meeting room pavilion will be dedicated to their family. Other major contributors include Shahid and Ann Khan, the Donald C. Dodds Jr. family, the Marci Dodds and Jon “Cody” Sokolski family, the Newton H. Dodds family, Main Street Bank and Trust, Busey Bank, and the Library Friends.
Hundreds of community members contributed to the campaign. “We had gifts ranging from one dollar to a million dollars, and every one was needed and appreciated,” said Foundation President Barry Brindley.
The Foundation will continue to seek support for the new library. Brindley notes that art work was not in the original project budget. Gifts to the Foundation endowment will help ensure a long-term future of outstanding programs and collections.
A few additional engraved patio pavers are now available for gifts of $250 to $1,000. Donors can have a shelf permanently dedicated for $5,000 or be recognized on the glass donor wall for gifts starting at $10,000. Areas of the new building can be named for gifts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Anyone interested in making a gift or learning more about gift opportunities should contact Development Director Donna Pittman at 217/403–2048.
Donors Sought to Match “Live Homework Help” Challenge Gift
Peter and Kim Fox have a strong interest in giving local children access to computer technology. Along with donations of computer equipment to schools, they are helping the library provide Live Homework Help, free access to homework tutoring online.
A gift of $4,500 from the Foxes provided a substantial portion of the $11,000 needed to offer the service this year. The Foxes are challenging other community members to match their gift.
Last month, more than 200 Champaign students in grades 4 to 12 connected with professional homework tutors online. A comment by one ninth grader echoed what many others said: “My tutor was the greatest! I am so sure that my test grades will skyrocket and now I am very proud of my work because I understand it. I think kids like me can’t really afford to pay online for a tutor so knowing there’s free help out there is a blessing. Thank you.”
To help support Live Homework Help, powered by tutor.com, make a gift online by visiting champaign.org or send a check to the Champaign Public Library Foundation, 505 S. Randolph St., Champaign, IL 61820. For more information, contact Development Director Donna Pittman at 217/403–2048 or dpittman@champaign.org.
Library Author Spreads “Wilder Rumors”
Which character is real: a museum curator suspected of moonlighting as a burglar with an eye for antiques, or a mild-mannered library staffer writing tales of murder and mayhem after hours? Lewis Wilder is the fictional curator and Molly MacRae is his real-life creator — and an assistant in the library’s children’s department. Her first book, Wilder Rumors, is due for release on May 17. Kirkus Reviews has praised it as “an intriguing debut that holds the reader’s interest from start to finish.”
MacRae’s writing has already been in print for years; her short stories have appeared seven times in Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. The tale “Fandango by Flashlight” claimed its cover in December 2005. She has also won first prize in the Sherwood Anderson Society’s annual fiction competition. More
“The Info Pro Is Here to See You”
We’d love to show you some surprising ways we can help with your at-work information needs. But wait — don’t get up from your desk. Just call us to book a visit from an “Info Pro to Go,” and we’ll come to you.
Need sales leads? Get exclusive access to powerful, free online research tools to target your market. Got questions about business in CU? We’ll help you size up the competition or get a grip on regulations. Our new website, bizknowhow.org, is packed with local facts. Need a hard-to-find fact by five o’clock? Put us to work; you’re never alone in your quest for answers. Reach us by e-mail, IM, or 24-hour chat.
To book your visit from an Info Pro, call 217/403–2070 or e-mail librarian@champaign.org. Info Pro visits are part of the Business Know-How initiative, funded by an LSTA grant.
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May 07
Teen Bands Wanted
One local teen band will win a grand prize of recording time at Pogo Studio plus airtime on WPGU 107.1 in our fifth annual Battle of the Bands. Bands should submit an application and a demo by 9 pm Monday, May 21, at the library. All styles of music are welcome. There must be at least two members in each band, all aged 11 to 18. More
The Whip Guy
Two-time Guinness World Record-holding whip cracker Chris Camp will amaze children beyond belief with his 900 mph, 222-cracks-a-minute bullwhip.
Camp will perform in the library parking lot on Saturday, May 5, at 2 pm. His high-energy show mixes daring stunts with a bit of history and physics, plus a touch of humor and fun. Camp’s free program continues the library’s Oh Boy! series of Saturday events for grades 2 to 5 with a special focus on boy-appeal. A gift from JPMorgan Chase supports the series and helps provide a free book to every participant.
News-Gazette Supports Business Know-How
The library thanks The News-Gazette for helping us get the word out about our Business Know-How initiative. Support from The News-Gazette has allowed us to place a generous number of ads promoting our new business website, bizknowhow.org, our “Info Pro” information services, and our free business workshops.
Now Mac Friendly
As of April, Live Homework Help, the free online tutoring service, works on Macintosh computers, too. You’ll need OS X and a Safari or Firefox (version 2.0 or higher) browser on your Mac. More
Library Closed May 28
The library will be closed and the Bookmobile will not run on Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. Book drops will stay open for you to return items.
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