Kids & Family

Bishops Corner Library Exceeds Fundraising Goal for Renovation

The West Hartford library just received a substantial grant, which combined with other funds raised topped the $200,000 goal needed to complete the interior renovations so the library can reopen in September.

Submitted by Joe Cadieux, West Hartford Public Library

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters, the , 15 Starkel Road, will reopen with a completely renovated interior including an updated children's area and story room, new children's computer workstations with an AWE Early Literacy station, a new teen area, and new adult computer workstations. It is anticipated that the Bishops Corner Library will reopen sometime in September.

The library has just topped its fund-raising goal of $200,000, after receiving a substantial grant from the William and Alice Mortensen Foundation which triggered a generous "challenge" donation from the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, pushing the donation total above the overall campaign goal.

Patricia Farrah, chair of the Bishops Corner campaign, said, "We are all so grateful. Times are not easy, so reaching this goal means so much. So many people love the West Hartford Public Library and I'm sure that's why we've had this remarkable level of support with over 200 donations to date."

Many other area foundations have contributed generously to the library's fundraising campaign, including: The Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Inc.; The John G. Martin Foundation; The Auerbach Schiro Foundation; The Morton and Dinah Danseyar Family Foundation, Inc.; the Michael and Marjorie Wilder, Paul H. Eddy and Elizabeth J. Normen, and James B. Lyon Funds at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; the Thomas F. Kilfoil Fund of the West Hartford Library Foundation and the Friends of the West Hartford Public Library.

Construction on the Bishops Corner Branch Library is continuing through the summer with the reopening expected sometime in the fall. The Town of West Hartford and a state construction grant will cover upgrades of over $600,000, including new energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning, new windows and doors, lighting and wiring.

Fundraising will continue with many "naming opportunities" still available. The campaign is being run by the West Hartford Library Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, not-for-profit corporation. Library supporters may send tax deductible donations to the West Hartford Library Foundation at 20 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107, or bring donations to any of the West Hartford libraries. Donations through PayPal are also possible by visiting www.tinyurl.com/bishops15.


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