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St. Helens library board reports $2,000 anonymous gift for makerspace; seeks additional grants and in‑kind donations
Summary
The St. Helens Public Library board on March 10 heard that the Friends of the Library received an anonymous $2,000 gift for the makerspace and discussed additional fundraising steps, equipment donations and volunteer support to expand the space.
The St. Helens Public Library Board on March 10 was told the Friends of the Library received an anonymous $2,000 gift designated for the library’s makerspace and discussed several parallel fundraising and in‑kind donation efforts to expand equipment and furnishings.
The board heard that "the friends of the library... received an anonymous $2,000 gift, dedicated to the makerspace," a staff member said, and that the subcommittee will review spending and return a recommendation to the full board. Board members discussed multiple additional funding prospects, including a local Elks Lodge fundraiser and grant applications submitted through GrantWatch and to the Ford Foundation.
Why it matters: the makerspace is being developed as a community technology and learning resource; donations and grants will determine what equipment and public services are available. The board’s conversation covered both cash gifts and in‑kind contributions that affect the space’s layout and services.
Board member Jay described two near-term proposals to the local Elks Lodge and said he expects a quick decision from a spaghetti‑night fundraising subcommittee: "I fully expect him to come back and tell me, we got their money for this month," Jay said. He estimated that the lodge’s monthly Spaghetti Wednesday proceeds typically range between $700 and $1,100; that event is one of the local funding opportunities being pursued.
Library Director Suzanne reported a separate donation of laptops from the city’s public works department. "We have 8 new laptops thanks to public works largesse," Suzanne said, adding that the library currently maintains a total of 12 laptops and is discussing options to repurpose older devices for in‑library lending and to support the busy summer library registration period.
Former board member Colleen is working to secure in‑kind labor and fixtures for the makerspace, the board heard, including flooring, plumbing and a sink and countertop. Volunteer Joe Holstein was noted as a regular makerspace technician, helping maintain 3‑D printers, soldering and assisting patrons during open hours.
Discussion only: no formal motions or votes were taken on spending or accepting donations at the March 10 meeting; the board directed the makerspace subcommittee and staff to continue gathering details and return recommendations to the full board.
Next steps: the subcommittee will evaluate how to allocate the anonymous gift, report back with spending recommendations and continue pursuing Elks Lodge funding and foundation grants.
