Deming Library expansion gets $50,000 donation

KIE RELYEA - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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DEMING - A $50,000 gift from an anonymous donor may be the remaining funds needed to complete the expansion of the Deming Library, a project that is in its fifth year of fundraising.

"It is a huge relief, and wonderful," said Leaf Schumann, president of Friends of the Deming Library, about the donation. "It puts us really, really close."

The estimated $800,000 expansion is occurring in three phases.

DANNY GAWLOWSKI | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

DONATE TO DEMING LIBRARY
To donate to the Deming Library expansion project or to the nonprofit Friends of the Deming Library, contact its president, Leaf Schumann, at 592-5316.

The first part added 4,000 square feet to the old and cramped library building. That new addition opened in December, after 11/2 years of construction.

Phase two focused on renovating the original library building, which is 2,500 square feet. The third part involves improvements to the parking lot.

"This money allows us to finish the building," Schumann said, noting it may be enough to do the work on the parking lot as well.

The expansion has been a big communitywide and volunteer effort. The recent contribution brings the total cash and grant donations to a little more than $531,000, with in-kind donations of volunteer labor and services adding more than $200,000.

"We have been astounded to watch how this has worked. They've done a barn-raising," said Lizz Roberts, community relations coordinator for Whatcom County Library System.

The Friends of Deming Library owns the building, and the Whatcom County Library System provides materials and staff.

Frances Barbagallo, branch manager for Deming Library, also made note of the community's contributions.

"What's most important and most significant to me is the community support," Barbagallo said. "It's a phenomenal experience to manage this building that's supported by so many people."