Greenfield Library Century Club Drive under way
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By Carmen Ensinger
It is that time of year again – time for the Greenfield Public Library’s Century Club fundraiser. In fact, they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.
For those unfamiliar with this fundraiser, anyone who donates $100 to the library becomes a member of the Century Club. Library Board President Amy Turpin explained how the fundraiser began.
“This special club was the brainchild of Bruce Haven in 2004,” she said. “His idea was to have an ongoing source of income to provide long term funding for the library. He supported the library and served on the board for several years.”
The only source of revenue for the library is the roughly $12,000 it receives from real estate property taxes every year. The rest of their funding must be obtained through grants and fundraising.
“The Century Club is made up of individuals and businesses who support and promote the library for an annual tax-deductible donation of $100,” Turpin said. “The library is ever grateful to his fiscal foresight.”
Each year, the Century Club continues to grow. Former Greenfield residents who now reside in other states have committed to become a part of the Century Club and help their hometown library. The money raised has been put to very good use.
“Because of all of the generous contributions over the past several years, we have been able to enhance the physical appearance of the library,” Turpin said. “This has been done by replacing all of the flooring, painting the walls, and purchasing shelving units to organize the office and storage areas to be more user friendly for library and volunteer staff.”
This project was completed in April of 2024 and Turpin said a frequent comment is that the library looks so much brighter and welcoming.
“You are always welcome to stop in and take pride in what has been accomplished by your donations,” Turpin said. “Because your donation helps in maintaining the library long term, more time and energy can be devoted to our mission – making the library a gathering place for discovering, learning, creating and connecting.”
Almost all small town libraries are dependent on grant funding and Greenfield Library is no exception.
“The Library applied for and received a Tracy Family Foundation Grant to promote early literacy opportunities for families with young children,” Turpin said. “These funds have enabled us to provide weekly programs, special events, new materials, and other experimental activities.”
But that isn’t the only grant they have received.
“The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office recently named our library as the recipient of a Technology Grant which is earmarked for technology infrastructure,” Turpin said. “The plan is to replace the server, upgrade all computers, ensure our website is ADA compliant, install a new phone system and purchase equipment to digitize photos, VCR tapes, slides and other hardcopy materials.”
Turpin said they are very grateful for the financial support they have received which has helped maintain the library as a vital part of the community for the past 20 years.
