Zippo, Blaisdell Foundation provide lead gifts for
Bradford Area Public Library renovation project
Zippo Manufacturing Company and the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation are providing a total of $150,000 to the Bradford Area Public Library as lead gifts for the library’s building renovation campaign.
Madeline Miles, chair of BAPL’s Resource Development committee, announced that the donations from Zippo and the Blaisdell Foundation put the library at sixty percent of its two hundred fifty thousand dollar goal for this project.
The fundraising drive is being launched to cover the cost of replacing the library’s 20-year-old heating, ventilation and air cooling system and updating the lighting systems.
As our library building enters its third decade these systems have exceeded their life expectancy and major upgrades and replacements are due, according to Mike Pfeil, chair of BAPL’s Building and Grounds Committee.
“These gifts from Zippo and the Blaisdell Foundation take on added importance because they come at a time when the library is being hit with budget cuts from the state and grant funds are not readily available,” said BAPL treasurer Ed Pecht. “These donations will make the ultimate difference to the success of this project.”
“I would like to acknowledge George Duke, Chairman of the Board of Zippo, and Howard Fesenmyer at the Blaisdell Foundation for their roles,” said Miles. “These two gentlemen not only lead great organizations, they provide great leadership for our community in the tradition of Zippo founder George Blaisdell (Duke’s grandfather).”
Pfeil anticipates the restoration will begin as soon as the various replacement components are available. The board has signed contracts for the lighting upgrade and the HVAC project. The lighting contractor will be Pure Tech of Bradford while the HVAC replacements will be done by Tonawanda-based Building Controls & Services, Inc, which was the original contractor for the current system and has provided maintenance over the past two decades.
The Library has chosen to reconstruct and upgrade the original design to keep the project more affordable, Pfeil indicated.
We hope to start first with the lighting upgrade. Linda Newman, library CEO has her fingers crossed that the air conditioning does not give out completely before that replacement can be made tentatively in late summer. It is anticipated that the replacement of heating unit’s boilers, pumps, connectors and controls will be completed before the start of the winter season.
Completing the entire project is also contingent on raising the balance of the necessary funds, Miles reported. “Zippo and the Blaisdell Foundation have given us a measure of security in taking on this project, but we will be approaching individuals, businesses and other organizations to raise the remaining funds over the next several months.”
Miles said the building renovation fundraising drive would run concurrently with the BAPL Annual Giving Campaign; donors are free to give to one or both campaigns. Howard Fesenmyer, who was a BAPL Trustee when the current building was constructed and a life-long Bradford Community advocate, will serve as the campaign’s Honorary Chairman. Madeline Miles, a current Trustee and long-time BAPL activist, will be the campaign Chair.
“We have built in the BAPL Annual Giving Campaign goal to our 2011 budget and dearly need that amount to continue running the library.” Miles said. “We will appreciate those donors who will step up and give a special gift to the renovation campaign as well as this time.”
The repairs to the library building on West Washington Street have been on the drawing board for the past several years as part of the library planning process. The building opened in 1991, thanks to support from a community-wide fundraising effort. However, the board knew that at some point those 20-year-old internal workings would need replacement and upgrades.
“It is important to maintain our library and protect our resources for future decades”, said Miles. “In these challenging economic times it is clear the BAPL is more valuable and relevant to children, adults and families in our community than ever before.” She noted that the library provides access not only to books and online information, but also to career training tools and links to social services.
The Bradford Area Public Library is a community service organization dedicated to providing information, education and entertainment. For more information, visit us at bradfordlibrary.org, on Facebook, or pop in at 67 West Washington Street.