$1.7 million still needed to pay off Hyrum’s library bonds
October 31st, 2009 Posted in OpinionBy Heidi Hansen
HYRUM—Two years after completion of the new Hyrum City Library building, the city still owes more than $1.7 million in bonds borrowed to fund the $5 million project.
“We have a great library in Hyrum but it needs to get paid off,” Councilman Paul James said. “It seems like after the building was finished people just stopped donating because they thought it was paid off.”
About eight years ago the people of Hyrum decided they no longer wanted their library to be in the basement of the city building, so they joined together to raise money to build a separate building.
The initial fundraising campaign took off with a bang. Citizens were able to donate $100 to have their name put on a brick that would go on a donor wal, and many businesses in the South Cache area donated $1000 or more to the cause.
However, as library director Ginny Tremayne put it, “as far as someone walking into the library to donate $1,000, that doesn’t happen anymore.”
Tremayne said that donations have not dropped off completely. She said she receives many donations made in memory of a loved one when someone who has lived in Hyrum for a long time has requested that a donation be made when they die.
Tremayne said they also have a donation program going on with the local grocery store, Ridley’s, where customers can donate their rewards points from shopping to the library.
In homage to the original fundraising campaign, people who wish to donate may still give $100 and have their names on a brick. However, the brick will go on a smaller wall on the inside of the library. Tremayne said they have about 200 bricks left to sell.
The library, which serves all of Hyrum, Nibley and Wellsville for free, has a wide selection of books and provides many other community services. There is a copy center open as well as a board room and café area that can be reserved for meetings and parties. The Hyrum Museum is in the basement of the space.
With the 9,000 square feet of unfinished space, Tremayne says they have plans to make a community meeting room, kitchen and space for recitals, but first they need money.
In Hyrum’s July 2009 newsletter, fourth grader Jill Nunn wrote, “It feels great to look and think so many people care that our library isn’t in a basement,” in reference to the donation wall.
“It’s been well worth it for the kids,” said James, discussing the money the city owes for library.
Tags: $1.7 million, bonds, Hyrum, public library
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