Accept the challenge, donate to library book fund

I clearly remember going to the Kennewick library and wandering through the stacks, amazed I could pick any book that I wanted to take home and read. That was the problem, it was always so hard to choose.

I would take forever trying to decide which of these books to check out, picking them out one by one, carrying them around for a while. Then, as I'd just about made up my mind — or one of my brothers or sisters were telling me it was time to go and would I please hurry up — I'd spy another book that I just had to read and the whole process would start over again. Usually my mom would come over and remind me that we could always come back next week.

That love of reading, instilled by my parents and fostered by a wonderful library, lives on until this day. Books give you a glimpse of another world, another time or of another culture and open the door to endless possibilities.

The Friends of the Library for the East Bonner County Library District want to keep that magic of possibility going. The group has proposed a challenge grant to help build the district's book collections.

The Sandpoint Library, the Clark Fork Library, the bookmobile and the Outreach program are heavily used and need new books to help meet the demand.

As a side note, another way you can help raise funds for the library district is to purchase raffle tickets for a dollhouse that's every little girl's dream come true. The doll house is on view at the Sandpoint library and is simply beautiful. Tickets are available at the Sandpoint and Clark Fork libraries, Monarch Mountain Coffee and the Pend Oreille Winery.

Back to the challenge — for every dollar donated up to $5,000, the Friends of the Library will match that amount. It's the ultimate bargain — how often do you get the chance to buy something at half off?

If you want, you can earmark your contribution for a particular library or type of collection. Donations made by Dec. 31 can be claimed on 2004 tax returns and also qualify for special tax credits, which can be claimed even if you don't itemize.

For more information about the book challenge, ask at one of the libraries or the bookmobile, contact the library district at 263-6930, or check the district Web site at www.ebcl.lib.id.us/ebcl.

The target date for meeting this challenge is Dec. 31.

If we all donate $1, just think of how many wonderful books we can buy for our library? The possibilities, like the books themselves, are endless.

CAROLINE LOBSINGER

Managing editor