From The Friends of the Lawrence Library in Pepperell:
"Challenge to Benefit Lawrence Library
The library needs new floor coverings to protect the high traffic areas of the beautifully restored hardwood floors.
Thanks to our patrons, we are very close to raising enough through donations to fully fund new carpet runners.
Local author and resident Tim McLean has issued a new challenge: a copy of his children's book The King and the Magical Rainbow Fish and a coffee mug for the first ten donations of $20 or more. Donations received before December 31 are tax deductible!
For those who are unfamiliar with the fund drive, in July 2008, the library, using no town funds, began the process of preserving the building’s original hardwood floors. The carpeting that had covered these floors had become a liability to the town as determined by the town’s insurance adjuster and needed to be removed. To accomplish this required the complete vacating of the 3 rooms which housed the adult fiction, large print, magazine and newspapers collections, a total of over 15,000 items. The project was put out to bid, and the contract was awarded to Flawless Floors of Pepperell. When the project was completed and the floors were restored to their original beauty, the library was informed that steps should be taken to protect high traffic areas because the floors would likely not withstand another sanding and refinishing.
Last fall resident Diane Murphy generously donated $1,000 to help start raising the funds to pay for the floor coverings to help protect and preserve their beauty. Diane's matching $1, 000 challenge this fall which ended December 15 raised $2,480.
Please join Diane, Tim and the many others who have donated to the fund to ensure that this historic asset is enjoyed for many years to come by sending your donation of $20.00 (or whatever you can afford) to: The Friends of Lawrence Library, c/o Lawrence Library, 15 Main Street, Pepperell, MA 01463. All donations are tax deductible. If you have questions please call Debra Spratt, Library Director at 978-433-0330 or email dspratt@cwmars.org."
