The
Capital Area District Library branch in Mason was faced with a problem. The 1938 building that housed the
Mason Library was in dire need of repair, but with local government budgets as tight as they’ve been for many years, Branch Head Sheryl Bass didn’t see any assistance in sight.
“The building had been a little neglected for a number of years,” says Bass. “There was just no money. People need fire and police, so we knew we needed to go out there and get the money ourselves.”
That is exactly what Bass and her staff did. The $42,000 in renovations that was recently completed began with the donation from former library patron Margaret Doolittle upon her death of $10,000. When a Dart Foundation Challenge Grant of $13,000 followed, Bass knew things were headed in the right direction.
After about a year of fundraising and three solid weeks of renovations, the Mason Library reopened on June 4 with new carpeting, furniture, paint, countertops and a refinished circulation desk. The building also received roof repairs, landscaping, windows and energy-efficient lighting.
“It looks like night and day here,” says Bass. “I’m just delighted.”
Judging by the 200 people who came out to celebrate the reopening of the Mason Library on June 4, the community was pretty excited to have their new and improved library back as well.
“It was fun to see the community support,” says Bass. “It’s just a really nice thing that has happened in our community.”
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