Library 3.0 announces $3.5 million in donations

CEDAR RAPIDS - Onlookers may have thought a carnival was taking place at Greene Square Park on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, afternoon given the balloons, hot dogs and children singing.

No carnival, just some very happy library fans.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library announced that they had raised about $3.5 million as part of their capital campaign toward building a new downtown library. That puts the library more than halfway toward their goal of $5 million donations toward the new building.

The event also gave local residents a chance to take a closer look at the design for the new library, which library director Bob Pasicznyuk said was cutting edge with access to technology and community meeting space.

“Cities almost always get the libraries they deserve. Because of that, I know we'll get a great one,” he said.

Some of the donations announced include a $400,000 gift from the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library as well as a $127,000 donation from the estate of Phyllis Fleming, recently deceased library trustee and former Gazette managing editor.

Campaign Director Katie Geiken also confirmed that a donation from the Cedar Rapids Garden Club would help pay for an environmentally-friendly garden on the new building's roof. The garden is still being designed, and the club has committed at least $100,000, with the full amount to be announced in June.

The capital campaign funds join previous donations including a matching grant from the Hall-Perrine Foundation of $3 million and from Archer Daniels Midland Company for $500,000.