MARIENVILLE, Pa. — A $62,500.00 challenge grant has been offered to the Marienville Area Library in memory of George and Verda Kiehl.
This grant will provide one-to-one matching funds for donations made before January 1, 2018, toward building the new library in Marienville. The George and Verda Kiehl Challenge Grant has been made by a local family who recognizes both the need for the new library building and that Forest County enthusiasts love a good challenge.
The Library in Marienville has been serving the needs of area residents since 1969. It started in a storefront and moved to its current location, a converted garage in 1982. The building no longer meets the programmatic or technological needs of the community. The building, as determined by a Professional Engineer, is not structurally sound. Due to the structural problems, an addition to the current building is not possible.
The library through its board, staff and the Friends of the Marienville Area Library have worked since 2015 to raise the needed funding to join with a Keystone Library grant and make the new building a reality. The George and Verda Kiehl Challenge Grant, if fully met, would provide the final funding needed to seek Pennsylvania state funds in 2018. The terms of the challenge are that to be matched, funds must be received by the Friends of the Marienville Area Library by December 31, 2017. Donations will then be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The new library building will house a meeting room, a much expanded children’s section and an adult reading area.
Technology in the computer area will be updated and be designed for future flexibility. Heating, lighting, and accessibility will be greatly improved. A patio that will connect to the Knox to Kane rail trail is being planned. What will not change is the welcoming nature of the Library.
Donations may be made at the Marienville Area Library in person or by check. Donations may also be made through the PayPal donation button located on the Library website. www.marienvillelibrary.org.
Checks for the building fund should be made out to the Friends of the Marienville Area Library which as a 501(c)(3) charity recognized by the IRS makes all donations tax deductible.
All donations made by December 31, 2017, will be matched in the memory of George and Verda Kiehl.
