Horton Public Library Fund

Goal: $35,000.00

Specific Need

We are aspiring to use our donations this year for much needed upkeep & improvements to the library facility. Support of the Summer Reading Program. Purchasing of materials & equipment to provide even more opportunities for our patrons. Without help from people in our community and grants many of these goals lie unmet as we do not receive funding for these needs.

• We have several emergency improvement needs. We need a new HVAC system; the current one is completely broken both upstairs and downstairs units. Our quote on this work is $19,310. We need a new roof, ours is currently leaking and pieces of it are flying away. Our quote for this work is $10,980.58. 

• These improvements include conceivable efforts in making our lower level more accessible to the physically disabled. Our aim is to find a solution that works with our building to add a new ramp, or lift chair to access the basement. The options we have looked at as possibilities are estimated between $22,000-$143,000.

• Acquiring new furnishings to create useful work spaces. Examples: Chairs, tables, couch.

• We are setting our sights on funding for future educational programming and equipment for all ages. Examples:3-D printer and supplies. A teen centered programming space.

• We endeavor to create a more functional & inviting space for our children’s dept., and a protective storage space for local historical materials. This requires some space management & make-overs.

Mission

Our Mission: Community, Learning, & Fun!

Profile

The Horton Public Library has been a critical cornerstone of our community dating back to 1886. We serve a community which expands beyond the borders of Horton to currently include an excess of 4,200 individuals. Our building was completed Dec 30th 1938 after being built on the existing foundation of a bank that had burned down. The open house was held on Jan 11th 1939. Before that the Library began & was housed in the upstairs auditorium of City Hall on Jan 12th 1926, after the first board meeting was held in 1925. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in helping us so that we can continue to Encourage, Enlighten, and Entertain all who seek to open doors in their minds & hearts. You can help us by sharing our story & or donating.

Consider a contribution that will support the Library’s mission: Community, Learning, & Fun. Your donation would be an investment in the future of your library … and our community. The Library offers a refuge for all ages to explore what the world of literature reveals of the past, what it can provide to enrich their lives now, and how it can enhance their future opportunities.

Horton Public Library is grateful to receive community aid in raising funds for Library needs. Our wall collapse repair construction was finished in March 2021. This was needed due to walls degrading; caused by a failed tile drainage system from the 1950's & egress window system allowing water into the Library. We had to replace & repair basement walls as well as system replacements at a cost of $28,238. 

We have several other facility concerns that we would like to address in the near future and/or immediately: 

One of these is our roof which appears to have some damage & leaking into the main floor of the Library, we have done some small repairs (May 2022), but will be needing a re-roofing in 2024. Our quote for the replacement is $10,980.58.

We now also need a full replace of our HVAC systems they are completely broken and non-functioning. The downstairs system has been broken since OCT 2022. The cost for this replacement for both systems is over $19,310. The system will remain broken until the funds are raised.

We wish to become ADA compliant and create a safe and inviting accessibility to our basement for our community by finding a solution that works best with our facility. The estimates for current specifications and ideas from an architect are between $22,000-$143,000.

Sadly, we do not have a Friends of the Library group to aid in normal fundraising efforts. We do have two yearly fundraising events. Library Giving Day in the Spring & Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee in Oct. As well as this partnership in joining the South Brown County Community Foundation. The Horton Public Library relies on the generosity of the community and possible grants to handle situations like these that arise at our facility. Like many of you this type of item is not budgeted for from our normal funding sources.

What have we accomplished in the last few years?

• Eagle Project that built a 10x 8 storage shed to help with space management for program areas. As well as a Conservation project pollinator garden and habitat that will fuel future programming!

• Kid's furniture for the kids zone areas. (These were donated used from other libraries across Kansas).

• Replaced nonfunctioning and outdated lighting & electrical. (This was thanks to an anonymous donation through NEKLS Library Foundation on Library Giving Day).

• Repaired our tile drainage system, added a sump pump, and repaired basement walls. (Part of the above donation was used, and we used all other donations that had been saved from the last 80 years, draining and closing our savings accounts). 

• Purchased a new printer/scanner/fax after the old one suffered extreme failure. Also, we were able to get a VOIP phone system and service free with printer. (Used all from tech donation savings fund).

• Added Book Club sets, CriCut service, Playaways, LaunchPads, MIFI, party toys, equipment, and more to our collections for patron check-out.

• Received through grants: New book carts, Books, Tupperware storage, masks, cleaning supplies, UV-C tech cleaners, crowd control stands, 10x10 and 10x20 canopies, Rubbermaid carts, fridge, microwave and toaster (for our No Hunger Summer Programs), books, & MIFI startup.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jessica Ray Buhrman
Director
Horton Public Library

$8,193.98 received
in 8 gifts 23.41%  of  $35,000.00 Goal