Spooner Memorial Library begins Campaign Readiness Study to examine building renovation, expansion Capital Campaign

SPOONER — Spooner Memorial Library has partnered with BrandRaise, LLC to conduct a Capital Campaign Readiness Study for their proposed building renovation and expansion project. The 12-week effort is designed to garner feedback about the proposed expansion and explore the opportunity of conducting a $6.7 million capital campaign.

Since the last renovation in 1997, the library has seen a 91% increase in visitors, a 265% increase in program attendance and a 378% increase in the number of programs. The goal of the project is to expand and renovate the existing building to better serve and engage the community.

The proposed expansion includes, but is not limited to:

Building a basement below and an additional upstairs floor above the current children’s wing while also expanding the north side 10 feet from the sidewalk.Expanding to a second level to house meeting rooms, a maker space, seating area and program space.Adding an elevator, making it easier to transport items and provide better accessibility and be ADA-compliant.Reorganizing and adding onto the main floor, which will be dedicated to material space, lounge and seating areas, small study rooms, a used book room, children’s play space, teen space and staff space.

“The Library Board is excited to get this project started,” said Board President Audrey Kevan. “The library has experienced steady growth, with a significant need for more space to better serve our community.”

A series of three focus group meetings and 45 one-on-one interviews with community members, past donors, local business and community leaders, families and foundations, known as a Study Summit, will take place on June 4. The public is invited to provide their feedback on the project and potential campaign by completing a short digital survey on the Spooner Memorial Library website. The deadline to complete the survey is June 4.

The Campaign Readiness Study will help outline the best fundraising strategy, identify top leadership potential, evaluate the current and short-term economic climate, cultivate prospective contributors and volunteers, identify possible challenges and provide the opportunity for area residents to voice their opinions.

BrandRaise, LLC is a strategic communications and fundraising consultancy that provides brand and fundraising support to nonprofit organizations and municipalities nationwide.

To participate in the survey, visit spoonerlibrary.org/capitalcampaign/. For more information about the upcoming Study Summit, email Angie Bodzislaw at director@spoonerlibrary.org.