Library to celebrate success
Date: March 17, 2009
By Suzanne Sproul, The Daily Bulletin
FONTANA - Sometime next month, the one millionth patron is expected to walk through the Lewis Library and Technology Center.
And since the center at 8437 Sierra Ave. is about to celebrate its first birthday, library supporters think it's time to celebrate.
"It's been quite a year. And to think we're about to hit our one millionth visitor is unbelievable," said Kathleen Fariss, Fontana Library Foundation development director.
The city of Fontana, San Bernardino County and a number of backers knew the cutting-edge center would be popular, but no one predicted how popular.
Who would have thought that four times the population of Fontana would walk through the center's doors in just one year?
So, to celebrate the anniversary and milestone, the center is throwing a community party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18.
Free children's activities both inside and outside of the library are scheduled. There will be cookies and face painting.
"It will be just like a child's party because our bread and butter focus is on families," said Helen Fisher, Lewis Library and Technology Center branch manager.
"I'm surprised and then again I'm not surprised that so many people have visited. We have the resources the people in the community are looking for. That includes the books, the computers and the programs, and we will continue to monitor what the community needs and wants to provide it with the best we can.
"This all is pretty amazing. Years ago, lots of people said that libraries would fade with the advent of the Internet, but we handle 1,000 to 1,500 books a day, and we are always busy."
As part of the fun, the center is planning on a drawing for one person to receive an educational technology package of a computer, printer and camera. Patrons can start filling out entry forms beginning the middle of this month. A winner will be picked April 11 and announced April 18 as part of the birthday event.
AT&T Corp. is a corporate sponsor of the event. And the city of Fontana, the Fontana Community Foundation and the San Bernardino County Library are participating.
For more information, call (909) 574-4500.
In order to continue the level of service and to expand, the Fontana Library Foundation has launched its sustaining campaign. Continued growth and maintenance/improvement costs always will have to be addressed.
There are a variety of ways to become involved, from being a "friend" for donating $25 to being a "philanthropist" for a gift of $10,000.
As with the initial capital campaign, each and every donation will help continue to make the center a place where young and old want to visit.
To find out how to help in that effort, call (909) 350-6586.
