Sierra Madre Rotary Donates $20K to Renovate Library Children’s Room

A check for $20,000 was presented to the Sierra Madre’s (FOSML) Board at the City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, May 10. The donation was the culmination of a request from the FOSML to begin a project to update the library’s Children’s Room in the facility at 44. W. Sierra Madre Boulevard.

According to Sierra Madre Rotary member Rudy Hayek, the Rotary Club of Sierra Madre board was approached by Friends of Sierra Madre Library member Patricia Hall and Library Director Toni Buckner to ask for a donation to help create the proposed Children's Library renovation and construction.

After their presentation requesting $10,000, our board unanimously agreed that our contribution called for a larger amount to make a major statement about our commitment to children's literacy, the project, and our longstanding history of strong support for the .

“According to our club By-Laws, any amount larger than $5000 must be approved by our Trustees of the SM Rotary Charitable Fund," Hayek said. "Since these funds were to come from our account at the California Community Foundation (CCF), it required closer scrutiny and the following of specific guidelines to ensure that the approved funds are disbursed to a cause consistent with Rotary’s mission statement of “Service Above Self, Community Service, etc.”

According to Buckner, the Children’s Library serves youth from birth through grade six.

According to SM Rotary president Cathy Hundshamer:

“FOL and Toni Buckner, Director of Library Services,  also explained the entire library staff has committed personal donations and they would be seeking donations from the community so there is buy in everywhere. The Past President's Advisory Board approved the $20,000 donation which meant we were then able to take the motion and request to our entire membership.

“On April 5th we moved our weekly meeting to the Children's Room at the library - breakfast and all!  The presentation of the expansion was made to our membership and an unanimous vote to approve the request of $20,000 was made.”

The CCF fund is a cumulative sum collected in the last 10 years from the annual program book fundraising campaign plus general contributions from members and the community.

"We've tapped that fund for many other projects including the new high tech emergency radios donated to the Fire Dept a couple of years ago,” Hayek said.

Buckner’s formal thank you to Rotary on April 22 was heartfelt by all.

“The generosity of the Rotary Club of Sierra Madre to refurbish the Children’s Library exemplifies the very best of our community," Buckner said. "Your gift of $20,000, as well as Interact Club’s adoption of the Children’s Library as their fundraising project for next year, will bring about essential changes in the layout, design and operation of library service areas for children – from the youngest preschoolers to busy and studious elementary and middle school students."

Buckner concluded, “Our current fundraising efforts (will) make the Sierra Madre Public Library an integral part of the future of Sierra Madre.  We are grateful for your continued support of our mission to continue educating children with dedicated staff, current and relevant materials, and space conducive to learning. "

The library re-design will be started shortly and is expected to be completed by November, as only one window change is a construction requirement.