Seneca Public Library Committee Fights to Keep Library Open
SENECA, MO.--- Library Clerk Mitzi Thurman is anxious to know the fate of the Seneca library.
"It's just in limbo. We don't know what is going to happen," says Thurman.
She says the library has been around for the past 70 years and has become a vital part of the community.
"There's not a lot of extra curricular activities to do in this town and this is one of the few things that families can come to," says Thurman.
Due to a limited budget, the Newton County Library Board is being forced to close the Seneca branch. However, a new committee of area residents is determined to find funding to keep the facility operating.
"We have a lot of people that are willing and excited about it, but they're hesitant. Businesses want to step out but they're hesitant right now," says Josh Dodson, Seneca Library Committee Member.
Committee members say the biggest obstacle is finding a way to collect the money in a secure and proper way.
"We want the Seneca branch to stay a part of the Newton County Library, however, we want to make sure that when people donate, the money is ear marked specifically for the Seneca branch," says Dodson.
The Seneca Library costs almost $76,000 a year to run, and the committee needs to raise enough money by June to fund operations for three years.
"It's quite a bit of funding, but really, when you're looking at an operation as a library like this and the amount we have coming through as circulation, it's really not that much," says Dodson.
Committee leaders say the library brings in people from as far away as Wyandotte, Oklahoma and Loma Linda, which benefits Seneca businesses.
"For the sake of the children, the teenagers, the adults, our community, the business community, it's very vital. We are committed and dedicated to doing whatever it takes," says Dodson.
As for Thurman, she is desperately hoping the funding will be available by the June deadline. If not the branch closes down, it will leave Thurman without a job.
Committee members believe they will be able to actually start taking up donations next week. However, if you are interested in making a pledge now, click here.
"It's just in limbo. We don't know what is going to happen," says Thurman.
She says the library has been around for the past 70 years and has become a vital part of the community.
"There's not a lot of extra curricular activities to do in this town and this is one of the few things that families can come to," says Thurman.
Due to a limited budget, the Newton County Library Board is being forced to close the Seneca branch. However, a new committee of area residents is determined to find funding to keep the facility operating.
"We have a lot of people that are willing and excited about it, but they're hesitant. Businesses want to step out but they're hesitant right now," says Josh Dodson, Seneca Library Committee Member.
Committee members say the biggest obstacle is finding a way to collect the money in a secure and proper way.
"We want the Seneca branch to stay a part of the Newton County Library, however, we want to make sure that when people donate, the money is ear marked specifically for the Seneca branch," says Dodson.
The Seneca Library costs almost $76,000 a year to run, and the committee needs to raise enough money by June to fund operations for three years.
"It's quite a bit of funding, but really, when you're looking at an operation as a library like this and the amount we have coming through as circulation, it's really not that much," says Dodson.
Committee leaders say the library brings in people from as far away as Wyandotte, Oklahoma and Loma Linda, which benefits Seneca businesses.
"For the sake of the children, the teenagers, the adults, our community, the business community, it's very vital. We are committed and dedicated to doing whatever it takes," says Dodson.
As for Thurman, she is desperately hoping the funding will be available by the June deadline. If not the branch closes down, it will leave Thurman without a job.
Committee members believe they will be able to actually start taking up donations next week. However, if you are interested in making a pledge now, click here.
