A 501(c)3 Private Foundation supporting the Carthage Public Library District in Carthage, Illinois
EIN: 46-5183105 - Carthage District Library Foundation.
EIN: 46-5183105 - Carthage District Library Foundation.
Purpose: To raise funds, seek grants, and accept and manage major gifts and
endowments on behalf of the Carthage Public Library District.
Current focus is our Capital Campaign to raise funds to construct and furnish a new one-story library building. Last day to purchase an engraved brick/paver and turn in the form (see below) is July 15.
To make a donation, checks may be made out to the Carthage District Library Foundation and mailed to
500 Wabash Avenue
Carthage, Illinois 62321
Or use the link below to donate using a credit card or your PayPal account: (fees apply)
500 Wabash Avenue
Carthage, Illinois 62321
Or use the link below to donate using a credit card or your PayPal account: (fees apply)
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If your PayPal/credit card payment is for our brick/paver campaign (see below), please email [email protected] or contact the Library,
217-357-3232, so we can apply the funds correctly, and complete a form with the message to be engraved. |
We also accept pledges.
Groundbreaking Ceremony - Tuesday, April 15, 6:00 pm |
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Laverdiere Construction, Inc. was the low bidder and the contract was awarded to them. They started work on April 16. The project is estimated to take about a year for substantial completion.
View more photos on the New Building Construction page of this website, or in albums on the library's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CarthagePLD
View more photos on the New Building Construction page of this website, or in albums on the library's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CarthagePLD
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New Fundraising Initiative This Summer
Level Up Your Giving to Furnish the Dream
Level Up Your Giving to Furnish the Dream
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Preliminary cost estimates for needed shelving and furnishings for the new library are about $300,000.
The new Level Up fundraising initiative coordinates with the library's summer reading theme. Each platform of the drawing represents $1,000, with a goal of raising $10,000. As of July 14 we've raised $7,075! (I don't have a new photo yet, but we're on the 7th level.) COIN DRIVE The Friends of the Library are planning a coin drive fundraiser - so start saving your change. |
Dare to Dream Capital Campaign Purpose and Goal
Now moving forward with our construction project!
Although the original design has been modified slightly, the plans are for a 10,660 sq. ft. one story library building, featuring a large program/meeting room, two study rooms, ample seating, and a drive-up book return
The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Laverdiere Construction, Inc. of Macomb. Groundbreaking will begin in April 2025 and construction should take about one year.
The construction contract is for $3,646,186. This does not include the architect's fees. There will be many other expenses as well. The project is being funded through a combination of sources including: Public Library Construction Act Grant funds of $1,258,862.94 provided from the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using State funds; a $1.2 million bond referendum passed by voters in 2021; library savings; donation of the building site by Prairieland Investment Group; and monetary donations from the public.
The Foundation's current focus is to raise money to purchase new shelving and furnishings!!
Your help is needed and appreciated!
Now moving forward with our construction project!
Although the original design has been modified slightly, the plans are for a 10,660 sq. ft. one story library building, featuring a large program/meeting room, two study rooms, ample seating, and a drive-up book return
The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Laverdiere Construction, Inc. of Macomb. Groundbreaking will begin in April 2025 and construction should take about one year.
The construction contract is for $3,646,186. This does not include the architect's fees. There will be many other expenses as well. The project is being funded through a combination of sources including: Public Library Construction Act Grant funds of $1,258,862.94 provided from the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using State funds; a $1.2 million bond referendum passed by voters in 2021; library savings; donation of the building site by Prairieland Investment Group; and monetary donations from the public.
The Foundation's current focus is to raise money to purchase new shelving and furnishings!!
Your help is needed and appreciated!
Help build and furnish a new library for our community!
Last day to purchase bricks and pavers & turn in completed form is July 15, 2025.
We will then submit the orders to Harrison Monuments to be engraved.
We will then submit the orders to Harrison Monuments to be engraved.
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ATTENTION ALUMNI
of Carthage High School, Carthage College, Robert Morris College, and Carl Sandburg College:
We received a donation for a paver from alumni from Carthage High School Class of 1951, 1952, 1973 & 1991
and from some former Robert Morris College alumni. In 2025, we have received donations from the CHS Class of 1961, 1975, 1993, and 20025. We would like to see each high school and college class represented by bricks or pavers. Will you accept the challenge?
If you're communicating with classmates to plan a reunion, it would be a great time to discuss a donation, but forms and money must be turned into the library by July 15, 2025.
of Carthage High School, Carthage College, Robert Morris College, and Carl Sandburg College:
We received a donation for a paver from alumni from Carthage High School Class of 1951, 1952, 1973 & 1991
and from some former Robert Morris College alumni. In 2025, we have received donations from the CHS Class of 1961, 1975, 1993, and 20025. We would like to see each high school and college class represented by bricks or pavers. Will you accept the challenge?
If you're communicating with classmates to plan a reunion, it would be a great time to discuss a donation, but forms and money must be turned into the library by July 15, 2025.
Fundraising Progress $1,200,000 issued as bonds
as of 7-14-2025 $ 1,258,862 grant funding
Donation of Land $ 36,000 value
$ 500 Giving Tuesday 2020 ($30 donated by FB)
3,080 Raffle tickets 2020
111, 918 Bricks, pavers, donations
10,000 for furnishings for teen area
25,000 for landscaping
50,000 for naming one study room (Laffey family)
100,000 for naming meeting room (Sherrick family)
$ 300,498
876 from 2021 Friends gift basket raffle (to the Library, not the Foundation).
25,277 Fill our Stocking
26,691 Matching Challenge - Stories from the Library
25,000 Match - Stories from the Library Challenge
5,000 from Marine Bank for the Flagpole at the new library
2,045 from Carthage Community Improvement Fund of Community Foundation
914 from Friends of the Library pie sale
4,287 fish fry fundraiser Oct. 2023
16, 225 Bricks, pavers, general donations April 1 - Nov. 30, 2023
1,000 Sponsor a Square Foot
105,670 Believe in the new library Challenge (includes FOL gift basket raffle of $1,585 & BobboFest $4450)
100,000 Match for Believe in the new Library Challenge
6,885 Donations & Memorials May 13 - October 31, 2024
50,127 Launching our dream donations (includes FOL gift basket raffle $1528, $3000 BobboFest 2025)
30,000 Launching match for naming genealogy & local history area
50,000 Anonymous donation to name other study room
7,435 Bricks and donations April 10 - May 31 (includes $1500 from Lions Club)
7,075 Level Up donations (includes 1500 from Bobbofest)
$ 765,005
Special Thanks:
The Sherrick family has donated $100,000 to name the meeting room in memory of their grandparents, parents, and sister!!
Tim and Trish Laffey have donated $50,000 to name one of the study rooms in memory of his mother, Edith Bath Laffey!!
$10,000 has been given for furnishings for the teen area!
Thanks to the Lions Club for their recent donation.
We recently received donations in memory of Bill & Kathy Gelhaar - thank you to the family
for designating the Library / Foundation as a memorial recipient.
Thank you to everyone who helped Fill Our Stocking!
Thank you to the donor who set up our $25,000 Stories matching challenge and to the anonymous donor who gave $10,000 toward that match as well as all the other donors.
Thank you to the family and friends of Mary Jane Williams for more than $7,900 in donations given to the library in her memory.
Thank you to MTC Communications and CMS Inklings for launching our "Sponsor a Square Foot" Campaign!
Thank you to Marine Bank for a $5,000 donation to sponsor the flag pole at the new library!
Thank you to the Carthage Community Improvement Fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri for a grant of $2,045.08.
Thank you to all of our donors for the Believe in the New Library Matching Challenge & especially to the $100,000 donor for providing the matching funds. Two donations of $20,000 and three of $10,000 plus numerous other donors helped us to reach our goal.
Thank you to the Brooks family for organizing Bobbofest and for all of the sponsors, workers, and attendees. The Library received about $4,000 after expenses.
Thank you to the family and friends of Pat Weatherington for more than $2,000 in donations given to the library in her memory.
Thank you to the family and friends of Barbara Cole for $2965 in donations given to the library in her memory.
Thank you to the Friends of the Library and everyone who participated in the Gift Basket Raffles. They donated $1,585 from the 2023 raffle and $1,528 from 2024.
Thank you to our generous benefactor for donating $20,000 to our "Launching Our Dream" campaign and offering a $30,000 matching challenge. This $30,000 will be used to name the Genealogy area.
Carthage High School Class of 1961 donated $1094.
Thank you to the anonymous donor who gave $50,000 in March 2025 to name a study room.
Thank you to the Lions Club for a $1500 donation.
Bobbofest 2025 - $4,500 was donated to the Library - thank you to the Brooks-Fritz families and everyone who participated, as well as the corporate sponsors.
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Levels of Giving Opportunities
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Both study rooms have now been claimed, but several naming opportunities are available for areas of the library, such as: PreSchool area, Children's area, Teen area, Adult seating area, Quiet Seating area, Computer area, and Staff Break Room.
Sponsor a Square Foot
For a $500 gift, donors may sponsor a square foot of the new library building. A plaque inside the library will recognize these donors.
Thank you to our first square foot sponsors:
- MTC Communications of Macomb
- Carthage Middle School Inklings.
Tentative floor plan for the new library. 10,660 square feet.
Illini West High School Student, Alyssa Moyers, designed this wonderful graphic for us.
It shows the progress of our new building project. We have already surmounted the obstacles of obtaining a construction grant, passing a bond referendum, and designing the building, only to come up against a brick wall of high construction costs.
Fundraising is what will enable us to scale that wall and reach the finish line with a new library building.
It shows the progress of our new building project. We have already surmounted the obstacles of obtaining a construction grant, passing a bond referendum, and designing the building, only to come up against a brick wall of high construction costs.
Fundraising is what will enable us to scale that wall and reach the finish line with a new library building.
Stories from Library Supporters
We encourage everyone to tell their stories about what the library means to them.
Please share your library stories with us. Drop them off at the library, post them on the Library's or Foundation's Facebook pages, or email them to [email protected].
We will happily share your stories, either with or without your name, whichever you prefer.
Please share your library stories with us. Drop them off at the library, post them on the Library's or Foundation's Facebook pages, or email them to [email protected].
We will happily share your stories, either with or without your name, whichever you prefer.
This story is from one of our most faithful donors:
“I grew up in Carthage and recall vividly the role that the library played in my childhood. My siblings and I stopped by often on our way home from school or on a slow Saturday when the pool wasn't open. When Mother couldn't find one of us, she phoned the library early in her search to see if we were there - hidden in the stacks with a book.
The library taught me so much - to value the experiences of others, to see reading as a ticket to adventure, to take the time to start early on one of Miss Allison's research papers, and to return our books on time. I am so happy to support the new library project. I do so in gratitude for my own experience and hope that others will join the effort to create an important new home for an institution that has served many well for years.”
“I grew up in Carthage and recall vividly the role that the library played in my childhood. My siblings and I stopped by often on our way home from school or on a slow Saturday when the pool wasn't open. When Mother couldn't find one of us, she phoned the library early in her search to see if we were there - hidden in the stacks with a book.
The library taught me so much - to value the experiences of others, to see reading as a ticket to adventure, to take the time to start early on one of Miss Allison's research papers, and to return our books on time. I am so happy to support the new library project. I do so in gratitude for my own experience and hope that others will join the effort to create an important new home for an institution that has served many well for years.”
This story was shared on Facebook by Nancy (Dixon) Benz:
"The library was my second home growing up and I participated in SOAR for a long time. I loved being able to ride my bike downtown, pop in and find a new book, and escape to far-off places. I remember when the library moved into the Marine bank square location and I was bummed because I loved the old location so much, but I grew to love the move and became obsessed with the Teen Vault I love that my hometown is progressing and growing. Our library is such an important part of that."
"The library was my second home growing up and I participated in SOAR for a long time. I loved being able to ride my bike downtown, pop in and find a new book, and escape to far-off places. I remember when the library moved into the Marine bank square location and I was bummed because I loved the old location so much, but I grew to love the move and became obsessed with the Teen Vault I love that my hometown is progressing and growing. Our library is such an important part of that."
This story was shared by Marla Wood, in memory of her brother, Lanny Thomas Wood,
who passed away June 13, 2021 at the age of 60 years:
"As a child who grew up on our family farm in Hancock County, near Webster, IL, he (we) frequently went to the Carthage Public Library for research, for homework, and for fun. He became an architect, a school teacher of the STEM program, and was recognized in Central Florida as STEM Teacher of the Year in 2013. He made Hancock County, Illinois proud."
Judith Fay gave a donation in memory of Mary Jane Williams, mentioning that she knows how important the Carthage Library is to the family. She also shared the following comments:
"I cherish my local library and sincerely believe libraries can change lives. Libraries provide more than enrichment, they also offer opportunity and the wonder of discovery. I feel privileged to be able to make a contribution that will benefit so many."
"I cherish my local library and sincerely believe libraries can change lives. Libraries provide more than enrichment, they also offer opportunity and the wonder of discovery. I feel privileged to be able to make a contribution that will benefit so many."
Roxanne Whitson Frey donated because the Carthage Public Library was where she obtained her first library card. She went on to become a librarian.
The Community Uses Our Library
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 may be downloaded from this link:
Year Review Snapshot 2023-2024
Values were calculated using values from:
ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 may be downloaded from this link:
Year Review Snapshot 2023-2024
Values were calculated using values from:
ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator
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Melita Finney, president of the Friends of the Library, presented Carthage Library Director Amy Gee with a check for $1,528 from the 2024 Gift Basket Raffle.
Many thanks to the Friends and to everyone who donated items and purchased tickets for this fundraiser to support the library's building project. |
Amy Bruenger and Tim Parrish from Marine Bank & Trust in Carthage presented library director Amy Gee with a $5,000 check to the Library Foundation. The donation will sponsor the flag pole at the new library building.
Many thanks to Marine Bank, a United Community Bank.
Many thanks to Marine Bank, a United Community Bank.
Library Receives Donation of Land
Doug Groth (far left) and Bill Hollis (far right) announced on Oct. 24, 2020 that Prairieland Investment Group is donating property to the Carthage Public Library District for our new building. The site is on the northwest corner of Prairieland's campus; on First Street and Center Street in Carthage.
This major donation kicks off the Library's "Dare to Dream" Capital Campaign. Also in the photo are the 7 members of the Library's Board of Trustees and the Library Director.
This major donation kicks off the Library's "Dare to Dream" Capital Campaign. Also in the photo are the 7 members of the Library's Board of Trustees and the Library Director.
All plans and drawings are subject to change.
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This has been a very long journey, but each step brings us closer
to our dream of a New Library Building
to our dream of a New Library Building
Below are links to press releases announcing our application for the Public Library Construction Act Grant, and the announcement that our grant application has been approved, dependent upon our ability to raise the local cost share. Below the articles is a summary of the report that led us to dream of building a new library.
| applying_for_grant_press_release.docx |
| grant_app_approved_press_release.docx |
Library Board Considers Facility Options
In 2006, when the Library remodeled the first floor of the former Marine Bank building and moved into 500 Wabash Ave., the plan was to eventually renovate the second floor. The Board knew that we would be required to construct an additional stairway. The Library is currently facing problems with an unreliable elevator, which is difficult to repair since the parts are obsolete, and is too small to meet ADA requirements. Replacing the elevator would greatly add to the remodeling expenses.
In order to effectively evaluate our options, accurate cost estimates were needed. In 2017 the Board of Trustees began working with Dr. Frederick Schlipf, a well-known and respected Library Building Consultant and professor at the U of I Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Urbana-Champaign, and Mark Misselhorn, from Apace Design + Architects in Peoria.
In March of 2018 Dr. Schlipf and Mark Misselhorn submitted a report to the Board of Trustees that summarized their findings and gave their recommendation. Page 1 states:
"The library has four general options:
1. Remodel the second story of the building to enable it to be used for library purposes, adding necessary staircase and
elevator.
2. Expand the first floor by constructing an addition on the south.
3. Obtain and remodel another old structure and convert it to library purposes.
4. Build a new library building on a new site.
Our conclusion, outlined in detail below, is that the most economical and functional solution is to start over with a
new building designed as a library."
Click here to view their full report.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Current Library Building
Click the button on the left to take the virtual tour, which highlights some of the materials and services the library provides for our community, while also showing some of the shortcomings of the current building.
Click the button on the left to take the virtual tour, which highlights some of the materials and services the library provides for our community, while also showing some of the shortcomings of the current building.
Promotional Videos
Click the links below to see the promotional videos created for the Library by Table Sixteen Productions, funded by a grant from the Tracy Family Foundation.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make them possible.
The first is our Dare to Dream video promoting our project to construct a new library building.
The second is a fun video highlighting some of the many services offered by the library.
https://youtu.be/iDfdFu86Hp8 https://youtu.be/kX-h2LTYSis
Click the links below to see the promotional videos created for the Library by Table Sixteen Productions, funded by a grant from the Tracy Family Foundation.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make them possible.
The first is our Dare to Dream video promoting our project to construct a new library building.
The second is a fun video highlighting some of the many services offered by the library.
https://youtu.be/iDfdFu86Hp8 https://youtu.be/kX-h2LTYSis
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The short video below was created by CMS student Colin Weber, WMWEBZ Productions. https://youtu.be/A9CAoqlGLtY
This 5 minute segment is an excerpt from the longer documentary. It focuses on the part of the interview about the library's plans for a new building. https://youtu.be/YkxRU63XfiU
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Colin also created a longer documentary, interviewing Library Director, Amy Gee about libraries and the plans to construct a new library building. The last five minutes are a tour, which includes going upstairs. https://youtu.be/DjR9I-Zytuo
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