A string trio played while wait staff served wine and hors d’oeuvres to a crowd of more than 200 people who gathered on Feb. 23 to support the Starr Library in Rhinebeck. Starr – the oldest library in the Mid-Hudson library system – hosted its third annual Starr Library Benefit, the first of two major fundraisers the library holds each year.
“The benefit takes a lot of effort, and a lot of people take part,” said library director Steven Cook. “But we have an enormous amount of support from our community.”
The Starr Library Benefit began after the library completed a $2.2 million expansion three years ago. In addition to adding on to what Cook describes as the existing “1970s box,” renovations were made to other parts of the building.
“We were looking to have an event to show the new library off to the public and we took the time to do some fundraising as well,” said Cook.
To keep expenses low, the library seeks sponsorship to underwrite the cost of the event, and local businesses to donate items to the benefit’s silent auction. This year more than 80 businesses supplied items, including food and wine, artwork, overnight stays, entertainment, and more – and all of the items were donated to the library from within a 30-mile radius.
“We are fortunate to have the support of so many local merchants,” says Cook.
Use of the library has been growing rapidly, and 2007 was no exception. Though Starr Library’s overall objective is to grow in tandem with the increasing demands, the theme of this year’s benefit, “2008: A Leap Year for Children,” aims specifically toward advancing children’s learning and enjoyment at the library. To accomplish this objective, the library hopes to purchase 1,000 new children’s books and 100 new educational software programs, and triple the number of children’s programming and events. To facilitate its goals, the library has launched the Super Starr Gift Book Program, which allows supporters the opportunity to donate children’s books to the library in honor of someone special. The books are chosen by the library, and available for donation through purchase.
Though there is not yet a theme for next year’s benefit, Cook speculates that some may have already begun planning. “It takes at least nine months to plan the annual benefit, but some board and staff members will probably start planning now.”
The library will hold its second annual fundraiser, the 31st Starr Library Art Auction, this fall. The auction features work by local artists, and the proceeds benefit the Friends of the Starr Library.
For information on donating, or for Starr Library events, visit www.starrlibrary.org.