Library establishes endowment fund

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GREENVILLE — The Greenville Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the establishment of the GPL Endowment Fund. The purpose of the fund is to ensure the long-term maintenance of the library as it continues to serve the community into the next century and beyond.

“It will allow us to preserve our physical treasure and uphold our legacy of service for future generations,” said a spokesperson.

The library’s importance is reflected in its mission statement – to provide materials and services for the recreational, social, informational, and educational needs of the community.

“Our goal is to know and to serve our patrons with special emphasis on providing popular materials to stimulate children’s reading habits, to offer reference services, and to support the formal and continuing education of both students and adults,” the spokesperson continued.

The library has a long history reaching back into the 19 century. In 1889, Superintendent of Schools F.G. Cromer purchased for $75 the first library books circulated within the school system. In 1894, Frank McWhinney offered the board of education the use of a room on Fifth Street to house the growing collection. In 1903, the original building on Sycamore Street was constructed with monies provided by Andrew Carnegie, Henry St. Clair, and the board of education.

In 2003, a capital campaign was launched to raise monies for a much needed expansion and renovation. The citizens of Greenville responded generously and the construction project began in June 2007.

“The beautiful results are at once both classic and modern and provide patrons with more space and amenities,” the spokesperson said.

The fund’s establishment was made possible by two generous gifts from Pat Haines and the Jeanne Morris Memorial. Haines is a retired businesswoman who served on the board for 17 years and saw the library through the campaign and construction. She and husband Roy were major donors. Morris was a retired educator who served on the board for six years and was also a major donor.

“We invite the public to consider the GPL Endowment Fund in their giving decisions,” concluded the spokesperson. “For more detailed information, please contact John Vehre or Susi Halley. Thefund is housed with Second National Bank and overseen by the board’s finance committee. We thank you in advance for continuing to generously support your library and community.”

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