Fontana Library Foundation close to fundraising goal

Article Date: 1/8/07

By Suzanne Sproul, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Fontana Library Foundation supporters are halfway toward their fundraising goal.

In fact, with the recent $1.5 million pledge from Reggie King, chief executive officer for Young Homes, the entire effort to build a new library and resource/technology center has gotten a big boost for the new year.

It's all part of Mayor Mark Nuaimi's and the City Council's "Give Today to Enrich Tomorrow" fundraising campaign, partnering with the Fontana Library Foundation and San Bernardino County. The goal is $20 million, which is earmarked toward the purchase of public art, service program enhancement and some construction costs. Groundbreaking started in November 2005. To date, supporters have given almost $9.4 million.

"The donation from Young Homes is a generous response to our call to participate and serves as an important example to other regional business and community leaders of the incredible impact they can have in supporting the lifelong learning goals of our residents," said Kathleen Fariss, library director of development.

"The good news is that we are now halfway to our $20 million capital campaign goal. We've come a long way in a short time and although we have a ways to go yet, we are confident that there are a number of people and businesses out there who won't want to miss out on the pleasure of standing on the front steps of the grand opening in the spring of 2008 knowing they've done their part to support this regional project."

George Ventura is a second grade teacher at West Randall Elementary School and a library board member.

"I love to read and I love libraries, but my becoming a member of the library board was by accident," Ventura said with a chuckle. He had invited Fariss to the school to talk about the new facility and to basically get people excited.

"I visited libraries as a child and loved them. And then as a teacher I promoted them to my students so they could enjoy a lifetime of learning," he said. "I didn't need much encouragement, but now I'm very happy to be more closely involved."

The new library doesn't seem to need a head cheerleader, of sorts, to whip up community enthusiasm, but it has one in Lisa White. She is a volunteer and chairwoman of the library executive committee. "I absolutely love books. I'm an avid reader and am obsessed," White said. "So I'm naturally worried about literacy throughout our community. I want the people here, especially the children, to be empowered. A library is not just about books and reading, although both are important. It's about bringing a community together for the common good."

White, who works with Sylvan Learning Centers, believes places such as libraries help keep children out of trouble by giving them a positive place to hang out and learn.

"I'm hooked on books and I want others to be, too. I'm here to inspire others and, where I have to, to light a fire under them. Excitement about the new library is contagious. We are grateful for this wonderful $1.5 million donation, but I hope people know that it's not what you give, it's that you give," she said.

Helen Trevizo is the vice president of the library foundation. She got involved in this project after meeting Fariss at the University of La Verne, where both are in the same masters program of leadership and management.

"I work in education and I have a real passion for learning and toward enhancing our educational system," Trevizo said. "Kathleen would often hear me speak about this during class discussions and she asked me if I would be interested in serving on the board.

"The library is a perfect fit to promote both learning and educational enrichment because it has been designed to appeal to the wireless generation. Not only will the catalog and literary resources be outstanding, but the architecture, technology and tools are unbelievable, some of the best in the nation. The library is going to be a true jewel in the community."

Trevizo said she was thrilled with the latest donation, but remains thoroughly impressed with the host of smaller efforts that have come from city employees, residents and community businesses.

"The sizes may differ, but the commitment has been equal," she said.

The new 93,000-square-foot facility is under construction in the Civic Center, 8473 Sierra Ave. It will have many state-of-the-art features including a children's storytelling center, 330-seat auditorium, a young adult cyber cafe and a local history and genealogy room.

"My hope for the library is that the community will really enjoy it and see it as something that is their own that it will be a gathering place where literacy, learning and educational support will thrive, a place where children and families will create fond memories and an accomplishment that every Fontana resident will take pride in," she said.

For more information about supporting this library campaign, call (909) 350-6586.