For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Public Library Foundation Inc. (MPLF) is boosting the library and community center project with a donation of $100,000 to the Marshfield Area Community Foundation’s “Marshfield Public Library and Community Center (MPLCC) Fund.”

In 2014 MPLF made the first payment of $20,000 on a separate five-year pledge of $100,000 in general support to the project. Altogether over its 28-year life span, MPLF has donated over $350,000 to support the project land purchase and cover the expenses of the capital campaign, such as printing, publicity, consultant fees, etc.

“This is by far the largest project that we have supported,” said Steve Coy, MPLF President. “We have a singular opportunity to support the new library. Now is the time to do what we can to assure that the new library has the technological equipment, study and collaboration furniture, and amenities it needs to be the best.”

The Marshfield Area Community Foundation’s MPLCC fund gathers and manages donations to the Building Connections Capital Campaign, which has raised almost $5 million to build the new Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library and renovate the old library into the Marshfield Community Center. The two facilities will exist on the same city block and be linked to encourage efficient use of space and synergistic service development.

“We are delighted to see this gift added to the other MPLF support for this project. It brings us ever closer to the goal,” said Marshfield Public Library Director Lori Belongia.

“The first acorn of this oak of a project was planted when the MPLF was formed. It was nurtured in 1996 when MPLF worked with the city of Marshfield on the jointly funded land contract to purchase property to the north of the Library for future development.  MPLF’s most recent donation has further developed the vision for the project,” said Belongia.

Others wishing to support the project may still make donations to the MPLCC fund at the Marshfield Area Community Foundation until Aug. 31, 2015. Donation envelopes are available at the Marshfield Public Library, Main Street Marshfield office, Marshfield Senior Citizens Center in the Marshfield Mall, and at the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry.