Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-fund-raiser

Full Text:

Businesses Get Involved In Library Fund-Raising Plan

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Saavy marketing mixed with a good cause, like fund raising for the Booth

Library's new Children's Department, can be a winning combination for

everyone, especially area businesses. That's the concept behind Ten Weeks To

$10,000 which began October 18.

The idea is for area businesses to hold a fund raiser to benefit the library

and/or contribute a minimum $200 towards the goal of buying a circulation desk

and two computers for children to use in the library. The fund raiser, itself,

provides more exposure for the business, as does the library's weekly

advertisement listing all the participants and offers for that period. Library

volunteers will help participating companies with advertising, public

relations, and marketing ideas.

"I've done this on the corporate level," said Donna Howard, a senior account

executive at Alba Kids promotions for families and children. As one of the

Friends of the Library, she is heading the library fund raiser. "Why not have

small businesses get something back? It's a unique thing - every retailer and

professional can run their own fund raiser and get more recognition for

themselves."

Each week, four or five businesses are spotlighted in a newspaper

advertisement and in flyers handed out at the library's temporary location in

the Queen Street Shopping Center and at participating businesses. For example,

the week of October 25-31 features the Drug Center Pharmacy, which will donate

10 percent of any paperback book purchase to the library (through November 7),

the Newtown Package Store, which will donate $1 for each bottle sold of their

Wine Of The Month selection (through December 19), Drs Licht and Friedman, who

contributed to the project, and Newtown Chamber of Commerce, which is paying

for five weeks of the library's advertising. A chart tracking the progress of

the fund raiser is displayed in the temporary library location on Queen

Street.

Those participating in the event include a wide range of businesses, including

Newtown Savings Bank, Brautigam Survey, Honan Funeral Home, Primerica, the

Sandy Hook Diner, and Dr Bauta. Although space is limited, businesses may

still sign up for the week of November 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13, and 20.

Walden Books, the first retailer to join the fund-raising campaign, will have

an in-store book fair December 7, where 20 percent of take on one register

during a two or three hour period, will be doanted to the library. Stores at

both the Berkshire Shopping Plaza and Danbury Fair Mall locations are

participating.

"The libraries and bookstores go together - it's the same service, really.

I've worked at several libraries myself, and I just think it's an important

part of the town," said Paul Platt, manager of the Berkshire store. "It's

great [for business] because they tell people we're going to be doing it;

typically we make more than enough to offset the 20 percent."

"For some businesses, such as surveryors, it is considered to be very bad forn

to advertise. But, if they're included in a library ad, it's a wonderful way

for folks who might otherwise look inappropriate to get noticed," said Ms

Howard. "Another appealing aspect is that the names of all those who

participated in the fund raiser will be listed on a plaque that will be

displayed in the Children's Room."

Businesses can coordinate their fund raisers. For instance, five businesses in

Sandy Hook have decided to jointly offer Sandy Hook Center Day in November:

Mill Antiques, Tack Shop, Sandy Hook Diner, Grey Horse Gallery, and McLaughlin

Vineyards, which will release its 1996 Nouveau wine that week.

"A lot of community organizations are already doing something. That's why

we're inviting businesses to join in," said Library Director Janet Woycik.

"We'd love to invite organizations like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to run

fund raisers, too. And we could connect them with a participating business who

will let them use its parking lot for a [bake sale or other] fund raiser."

The money raised during the ten weeks will be used to purchase a large

circulation desk for the Children's Department, that will hold three

Bibliomation computers (one for checking in books, two for checking out

materials). A reference desk for the children's librarian will be attached to

the circulation desk. Although this fund raiser will also pay for two

computers to be used by young patrons, Mrs Woycik hopes to eventually have

seven in the department.

One-time donations are tax deductible. For information on participating in Ten

Weeks To $10,000, contact the library at 426-4533.