Clone donations and help library transformation

Think of all you could accomplish if you could clone yourself. Better yet, what if good deeds could be cloned? In fact, they can with the Sandpoint Friends of the Library’s annual Matching Donations Program. This year they will match your donations, dollar for dollar up to $4,000. That means that between now and Dec. 31, 2016, your good deeds can be cloned to the tune of $8,000 toward “Your Library Transformation.”

The Sandpoint Branch remodel and expansion project, dubbed Your Library Transformation, is slated to take place in the spring 2017 with a 10,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate your early literacy, skills development and community engagement needs. Approximately $700,000 is needed to complete the $2.7 million project by the end of 2017.

While all donations made to the library for the remainder of 2016 qualify for the Matching Donations Program, we are proposing an exciting challenge in conjunction with #GivingTuesday. On Tuesday, Nov. 29, we are challenging the community to raise $2,400 in 24 hours for Your Library Transformation. We know you can do it! If just 12 library lovers donate $100 each, FOL will clone your contributions to reach our #GivingTuesday goal.

Largely a social media initiative, #GivingTuesday is an annual global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. After Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the holiday giving season and inspires people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support. For library champions, #GivingTuesday is a 24-hour celebration of our community’s commitment to making information and inspiration accessible to all. Stay connected to Facebook and Twitter all day on Tuesday for clone-themed posts and updates on the challenge! Information will also be posted inside the library and on our website.

An individual taxpayer’s contribution to a public library is allowed as an itemized deduction on the federal return and on the Idaho State return. In addition, the taxpayer receives an Idaho tax credit for the contribution. This credit is also available to corporations who make a charitable contribution to a public library or library district located in Idaho. Partnership benefits are available for contributions toward Your Library Transformation. Visit www.ebonnerlibrary.org for details. For more information on donations, please contact Denise at the East Bonner County Library District at 208-263-6930, ext. 1205.

One more note from our beloved Sandpoint Friends of the Library: Your Library Transformation includes plans to provide additional storage and multipurpose space for the FOL, doubling their current capacity. They would like your input on how best to utilize that space for their fundraising efforts. A brief survey is available on the FOL page on ebonnerlibrary.org. Please respond to the online survey or submit a note to FOL via library staff with your comments by Dec. 10, 2016.

While we look forward to connecting with you on #GivingTuesday for our $2,400 in 24 Hours Challenge, we hope to also see you during the week at one or more of our life enrichment programs at the library. All of the following take place at the Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise noted.

• Friday, Nov. 25 — Teen Writers Club, 3:30 p.m.; teens who write … unite! Collaboration, peer reviews, brainstorming activities. Writing supplies and refreshments provided.

• Saturday, Nov. 26 — Computer class on basic computer skills, 8:15 a.m. sharp. Learn about the parts of a computer, computer terminology, memory, navigation and accessibility. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Information: 263-6930.

• Tuesday, Nov. 29 — Mother Goose Reading & Singing, 10:15 a.m.; for ages 0-3.

• Tuesday, Nov. 29 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m.; for ages 2-5.

• Tuesday, Nov. 29 — Make It at the Library, 3 p.m. Makerspace activities for kids; includes robotics, Arduinos, Legos and fiber arts.

• Tuesday, Nov. 29 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm, 3 p.m.; for ages-plus. Event held at Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St.

• Wednesday, Nov. 30 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m.; stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Event held at East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork Branch, 601 Main.

• Wednesday, Nov. 30 — Trickster Tales, 2 p.m.; stories of various tricksters such as Brer Rabbit, Anansi and more for elementary school age kids and their families.

• Thursday, Dec. 1 — Little Critter at Idaho Family Reading Week, 3 p.m. Families celebrate the power of reading together with stories, activities and snacks. Meet Little Critter in person!

• Thursday, Dec. 1 — Safe Space, 3 p.m. A safe space for middle school LGBTQ+ students and allies. Includes discussions, games and other activities.

• Saturday, Dec. 3 — Computer class on Internet basics, 8:15 a.m. sharp. The amount of information available on the Internet is staggering. Learn how to sift through it efficiently to find useful information. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Information: 263-6930.

• Saturday, Dec. 3 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This month’s sale highlights Christmas decorating, crafts and cookbooks, along with some fiction, nonfiction and art books that make great gift ideas. Find stocking-stuffer picks for toddlers through teens.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.