Kimball Public Library receives 2 matching grants

The Kimball Public Library was one of 10 in Nebraska that received a boost in the form of grants from the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund.

The library received $5,000 toward its carpet fund and received another $2,7000 for the MakerCamp.

The funds come from the generosity of the late Shirley Kreutz Bennett of Lincoln.  Each year, the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF), accepts proposals for matching grants for public libraries in communities with populations of fewer than 3,000. 

Following Ms. Kreutz Bennett’s wishes, a fund advisory committee, composed of her nieces and nephews, recommends grants in three areas: planning grants leading to accreditation; enhancement grants to improve library services; and facilities grants for new construction or the renovation, restoration or rehabilitation of current libraries. All grants require a certain level of matching funds and evidence that the project has broad community support. Approximately $80,000 is available each year.

The $5,000 received for the Kimball Public Library will go toward replacing its 20-year old carpet.

The other $2,700 will go to the MakerCamp, which teaches anyone how to use software to design certain things and be able to print it on a 3D printer. The total cost of the project was $5,574.

“We have a 3D printer and 10 computers, so people can come in and design something on the software on the computers and print it off,” said Kimball Librarian Jan Sears. “They can make little statues, they can make cups, all kinds of stuff. The point behind it is learning to use the software to create things.”

In addition to Kimball, the following libraries received grants in 2015:

Arapahoe Public Library: The Fund Advisory Committee approved a grant of $5,120 for a project that involves digitization of more than 80 reels of microfilm from seven area newspapers dating back to 1879.

Friends of the Bennington Public Library: Grant funding in the amount of $20,000 will be used to renovate and expand the current library from 1,500 square feet to 6,100 square feet. This project is the first phase of a three-phase project that involves the construction of a conference center and exterior renovations.

Dundy County Library: Grant funding will provide $5,432 for partial salary support of a youth services librarian and the purchase of additional children’s materials. The program will target preschool-aged children and introduce bilingual materials.

Genoa Public Library: This library is not accredited at this time. A grant of $1,000 will help cover expenses for additional staff hours required to develop reports and strategic planning to achieve accreditation.

Greenwood Public Library: This library is located in a building that houses the village clerk’s office, board room, community room and kitchen. A grant of $20,000 will be used to help make substantial exterior and interior improvements to this 100-year-old building. Repairs include support for sagging floors, repairing exterior walls, removal of paneling, dry walling and renovation of the entrance.

Neligh Public Library: The Committee approved a grant of $4,535 to help cover the cost of digitizing the Neligh newspapers dating back to 1879.

Valentine Public Library Foundation: This $15,000 project grant will help fund the improvements planned for the front entrance of the library, making it safer and providing easier access to the library. The new entrance will meet all ADA requirements. 

Walthill Public Library: A grant of $7,479 will be used to increase the library staff budget for additional hours; increase book and circulation acquisition; and increase youth programming.

The Nebraska Community Foundation is a statewide organization using charitable giving to turn up the dream switch in communities across the state. NCF works with volunteer leaders serving more than 250 communities. In the last five years more than 35,000 contributions have been made to NCF affiliated funds, and more than $126 million has been reinvested to benefit Nebraska communities.