Toledo Community Library gets $23,000 grant for new roof

The Toledo Community Library will receive a new roof in the next month or so thanks to a boost from the AARP.

Last week, the organization announced it awarded the library a $23,000 Community Action Grant, part of roughly $3.8 million invested nationwide through 343 quick-action grants. Across Washington, four projects received the funds.

The AARP has awarded $16.4 million through more than 1,370 grants since the Community Action Program began in 2017.

Pat Caldwell, who started the library with her husband Bill in 2014, said the grant was a happy surprise after the Cadwells received two bids for the roof replacement — $19,000 and $23,000.

“We exist just on donations, so it was going to be a long time before we got that much,” Pat said in an interview.

The library is staffed by a team of 22 volunteers, 20 of whom are senior citizens, which Pat said may have contributed to the AARP awarding a higher grant figure.

The Caldwells started the library, located at 241 Cowlitz St., after the pharmacy they operated at the same location closed. According to Pat, the library serves around 80 people a week, many of whom utilize the resource to meet other community members.

“I just really encourage people to come in and use the library and make some friends,” Pat said.

The Toledo Community Library is open four days a week, and the building includes a Timberland Library kiosk where community members can order books for delivery.

In addition to the Toledo project, the AARP awarded funds to the Prison Scholar Fund in Tacoma, Casa Latina in Seattle and the Fairfield Community Church in Fairfield.