“Programs are essential to the Library’s mission. Your Library now spends as much in a year on free educational programs and

activities as it does on new book acquisition.”– Mark Rostan, Chairman, Burke County Public Library Board of Trustees

www.ep.bcpls.org

Valdese Public Library213 St. Germain Avenue, SEValdese, NC 28690

70 Years of adapting to meet its mission…A message from Burke County Public Library Director Jim Wilson, Jr.

The Valdese Public Library opened in 1943 in a room at the old Post Office and in 1982 merged into the Burke County Public Library. For almost 70 years, this Library has grown and adapted to current needs. Its mission to develop readers, community, and cultural awareness has never been more relevant. Your 21st century library serves a diverse population with an extensive collection of materials and a wide variety of programs.

Since 2008, your Burke County Public Library has offered nearly 5,000 programs to over 100,000 attendees. Nearly 500 programs are provided each year by the Valdese Public Library. Currently, the library system devotes as much funding to programs as it does to books – roughly $55,000 annually.

The high quality programs offered by the library bring to life the limitless diversity of the stories, people, places, and ideas contained within the books on its shelves. Library programs offer opportunities for interacting with others, for sharing ideas, for learning new skills, and for exploring new interests -- all done without travelling out of town. Best of all, our programs are free.

Our well trained staff programmers provide appropriate, instructive, and creative programs for children, young adults, adults, and families, which often feature regional and national performers or resources from nearby museums and cultural sites.

Today’s leaders envision a vibrant public library for all. Presently lack of space is constraining and results in too many underserved patrons. The Cole House project will resolve these unintended consequences of our popularity and relevance.

Please support our Expanding Possibilities @ your Library Capital Campaign.

Jim Wilson, Jr.

• The Valdese Public Library boasts more than 10,000 cardholders, an annual circulation of 50,000+, a materials collection approaching 30,000 items and an operating budget of $300,000.

• The number of programs and attendance at Burke County Public Library programs exceeds all libraries in surrounding counties and ranks 15th statewide among county library systems.

• The Valdese Public Library offers about 500 programs each year with over 10,000 attendees.

• Because of space limitations, many programs have a waiting list for registration and many school groups and day cares are turned away. Sometimes programs have to be offered “after hours” to provide adequate space.

• It has been almost 30 years since the last expansion of the Valdese Public Library. With over 35,000 visits per year, it is one of busiest public services in Burke County.

• This project will increase the dedicated programming space of the library by five times and will allow the library to offer both a greater number and variety of programs to the Valdese community. F

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Lack of Space Inside the Valdese Public Library Limits Our Service

Currently, programs are offered in two spaces in the library neither of which is intended for programming: the 300 square foot meeting room which also doubles as a storage room for the Library; and the reader seating area in the children’s room where furniture has to be moved and reading patrons displaced.

Using these spaces for programs means they cannot be used for their primary purposes and this impacts other library patrons and the quality of the programs.

“With limited space many programs have waiting lists. It is hard to tell a child or a family they can’t attend because we don’t have enough space.” – Betty Riley, Assistant Library Director

Valdese Public Library Programs - Library Programs Attract All Ages

Children:Regular Weekly Storytimes:Baby Bookworms (1 year olds)Terrific Tots (2 and 3 year olds)Preschool Pals (4 and 5 year olds)Library Explorers (6 to 8 years old)Cool Kids Club (9 to 12 years old)Annual Summer Reading Program for 2012: “Dream Big READ!”

Adults:Needlework in the MorningComputer Classes Book Discussion GroupsLive Well SeriesAnnual Summer Reading Programfor 2012: “Mountain Majesty”

Families:Family Movie NightFamily Fun NightsFamily Craft NightsFamily Funky Science Night

Young Adults:CraftapaloozaFor the Love of ChocolateHow to Pay for CollegePoetry SlamHmongfestAnnual Summer Reading Program for 2012: “Survival Games @ your library”

Performers:Sharon Clarke – Musician and StorytellerDavid Novak – StorytellerGreg Zelnick – MagicianGahu African Drummers – MusiciansGloria Houston – AuthorBrightstar Childrens Theatre – Drama Catawba Science Center – Science/Nature Programs

“My daughter has been in the reading program since she

turned two. We are thankful for the library programs that are available for small children.

The librarians are very nice & helpful.”

Spooks and Snacks Japanese Tea

Story Telling

A Strategic AcquisitionIn 2001, the library, with funds donated by the Rostan Family Foundation, purchased the house adjacent to the library from Catherine R. Cole. The property, deeded to Burke County and the Town of Valdese, was to “be used for the purpose of providing and maintaining a public library.”

As this satellite image shows, the acquisition of the Cole House property is strategically important to the Valdese Public Library. The 6/10 acre lot offers land for future Library projects and can be presently enjoyed as a pleasant, green public space where the vintage grapevines will be preserved and enjoyed and where the Library’s outdoor programs and activities can be staged.

Education – A Cherished Waldensian ValueThe Catherine Rivoire Cole House with its thick, stucco covered field stone exterior walls and grape arbors is a precious piece of Waldensian Heritage. Preserving the structure and transforming it into educational space celebrates the sturdy values of Valdese’s founders.

The refurbished house will offer 1000 square feet of open, technologically connected, flexible space on the upper level that can accommodate a variety of programs or meetings. The lower level will house a small catering kitchen, restrooms and coveted storage space for the Library.

The Cole House: Where Our Glorious Past Meets Our Promising Future

Valdese Public Library

The Cole House Methodist Church

Cole House - Front

PROPOSED LIBRARY EXPANSION

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The Cole House main floor will be converted into an open flexible space. An elevator and connecting structure will be built at the back of the house to allow easy access as well as provide bathroom facilities. Where the old and new structures meet a covered outdoor program area will look out on a sculpted seating area.

Expanding Possibilities at your Library…a vital community project

Cole House - Back

OUTDOORPROGRAM

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INDOORPROGRAM

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Features & Benefits• 1,000 Square Feet Addition of Flexible Indoor Space: Expanded Indoor Program

• Handicap Accessible Facility (Bathrooms, Ramp & Elevator): Barrier-Free Access & Services

• Catering Kitchen: Community Meetings & Functions

• Outdoor Program Area: Unlimited Creative Program Space

• Additional Parking: Relieves Current Parking Shortage

• Preserve Building Exterior: Celebrate Waldensian Heritage

• Enhanced Multimedia Technology: Expanded Program Opportunities

• Basement Storage: Full Utilization of Programming Space

• Available Community Use: Functional Space for Groups & Families

• Increased Property: Future Library Growth

• Well Maintained Grounds: Attractive Green Space

Library Expansion Floor Plan

COLE HOUSE INTERIOR

Upper Level: Multipurpose Indoor Programming Space

Lower Level: Storage

COLE HOUSE EXPANSION

Upper Level: Multi-purpose Outdoor Programming Space

Lower Level: Restrooms & Catering Kitchen

ELEVATOR

Valdese Public Library Expense Budget

Site Preparation, Development & Parking $126,600Restoration & Adaptive Reuse $108,700Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing & Elevator $98,000Furniture, Fixtures & Audio Equipment $42,200Contingency & Other Costs $74,500TOTAL: $450,000

This Community has always supported its LibraryAs the budget shows, community support is essential to the realization of this exciting project. The last capital campaign for the Valdese Public Library was in the mid 1980s when $350,000 was raised to increase the size of the library from 2,600 to its current 6,100 square feet.

The Library Foundation of Burke County, Inc., an independent non profit organization with a mission to support the Burke County Public Library, is managing the fund raising campaign. Gifts to this Foundation are tax deductible as allowed by law. Since 2004, the Library Foundation has provided over $750,000 to support Burke County Public Library programs and collections. It is proud to donate $25,000 to this expansion at the Valdese Public Library.

Revenue Sources$200,000 is already committed by the Rostan Family Foundation, the Library Foundation of Burke County, the Town of Valdese and the Friends of the Burke County Library. A pending capital request from Burke County will be proposed in 2013.

Valdese Public Library

YA Cooking Program Cool Kids Club

Campaign Goal: $250,000Purpose: Complete the funding to allow the refurbishing and improving of the Cole House that will provide dedicated, flexible space for Library programs and community events.

Campaign Timeline: Capital Campaign Begins: Summer 2012 Capital Campaign Ends: Summer 2013

Project Timeline: Fundraising campaign completed in Summer 2013. Shortly thereafter, project begins with completion expected Spring 2014.

The Expanding Possibilities @ Your Library Campaign

Make your campaign gift today! The campaign accepts pledges payable up to four years; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and one time gifts. Please mark your commitment card accordingly. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law and will be appropriately receipted.

Gifts made in honor or memory of another person are welcomed. The Library Foundation will appropriately notify the designated person; the gift amount will not be shared.

Gifts of stocks and securities are accepted. Other types of non cash gifts can be discussed with campaign leaders.

Join your community by making a contribution to support its library. Every healthy community features a dynamic public library.

Thank you for supporting your library!

How to Give Today!These are challenging times but this

community must support its Library. Every gift is important. We need those

who are capable of giving to give.

– Vickie Oxentine, former Valdese Town Councilperson and Burke County Public Library Trustee

Grossology Class

Ballon Animals Expansion Model

Burke County Public Library Trustees – 2013

Mark Rostan – Chair

Anna Wilson – Vice-Chair

Reba Williams – Secretary

Bakhtiar Alam – Treasurer

John Cantrell

Johnnie Carswell

Rose Ann Childres

Deborah Ferris

Frances Hildebran

Debra Hodges

John Whisnant

Gail Williamson

The Library Foundation Board of Directors – 2013

Jean C. VanNoppen – Chair

Sterling R. Collett, III – Vice-Chair

Rosa Read – Treasurer

J. Rountree Collett, Jr.

Matilda Kistler

Mark Rostan

Laura Ervin Smith

Otto Woerner

Friends of the Burke County Public Library Board of Directors – 2013

Expanding Possibilities @ Your Library Campaign Committee

Dot Williams – President

Susan Duckworth – Co-secretary

Rosemary Enos – Co-Secretary

Barbara Bliss

Malinda Bollinger

Vickie Oxentine – Chair

Mark Rostan – Chair

Barbara Temple – Chair

Jim Wilson, Sr. – Chair

Jennifer Boggs

Emma Draughn

Lu Griffin

Tim Horldt

Sharon Hudson

Quez Little

Paul Mears

Kathy Parse

Betty Pennell

Debra Ripley

Joann Tanzer

Gwen Veazey

Sherry Willard

Chuck Moseley

Woody Poor

Laura Satterwhite

Phyllis Sweezy

David Wiese

Carolyn Williams

Melinda Zimmerman

Susan Stevenson – Liaison

Frances Hildebran – Liaison

Valdese Public Library213 St. Germain Avenue, SEValdese, NC 28690

www.ep.bcpls.org

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branchat 919 807-2214. The license is not and endorsement by the State. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by the law.