ANNOUNCEMENT

“Tulsa Central Library Renewed” Launches $1 Million Public Fundraising Campaign

Campaign will support renovations to Tulsa Central Library; Tulsa Library Trust has raised $28 million from private donors

  • Team Schusterman

May 21, 2014

  • Tulsa

Tulsa, OK — The Tulsa City-County Library and Tulsa Library Trust announced today the launch of the public phase of Tulsa Central Library Renewed fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $1 million from the Tulsa community. The campaign will renovate Tulsa Central Library into a state-of-the-art, learner-driven, technology-centered facility designed to meet the needs of 21st century visitors.

The overall cost for the renovation of the Central Library will be finalized this summer, but is estimated at $50 million. With a lead gift from The Bezalel Fund/Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Tulsa Library Trust has raised $28 million to date, engaging dozens of corporations, foundations and individuals to help achieve the fundraising goal. List of donors provided.

Through prudent stewardship of its funds, Tulsa City-County Library has committed $15 million toward the capital investment. Additionally, the Tulsa voters approved a capital improvement package that included $10 million for the Central Library. “The journey to reconstruct and update Central Library is integral to our community’s urban renaissance,” said Robert J. LaFortune, Tulsa Central Library Renewed chairman. “Private donors have generously contributed in a very significant way, but a gap still exists to raise adequate funds needed for construction. Today we ask the citizens of Tulsa to join us in bringing into reality a new Tulsa Central Library.”

More than 10,000 people visit Tulsa libraries every day, with 1,100 alone visiting Tulsa Central Library. For the past five decades, Central Library has served as a beacon for the Tulsa City-County Library by providing the support services for the entire system of 25 buildings. The two-year renovation will enable Central Library to make critical updates to its systems, infrastructure, technology and façade. Once complete, Central Library will be a vibrant, contemporary home in the heart of Tulsa where people can come to access multimedia knowledge and information, first-rate programs, learning and skills-building opportunities, and spaces to convene and collaborate. “With this investment, Central Library will be renovated into a state-of-the-art facility with significant enhancements to its educational programming that will better meet the needs of all patrons, including children and families,” said Stacy Schusterman, Co-Chair of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

The public phase of the fundraising campaign begins now with a goal of raising $1 million. Families, individuals and organizations are invited to support the project, which will make a direct and lasting impact in the lives of Tulsa children and for the Tulsa community for generations to come. There are several ways for Tulsa citizens to contribute to the fundraising campaign, including:

  • Placing a name on the Donor Wall in Central Library or purchasing an electronic bookplate in the library’s catalog record;
  • Purchasing select “Libraries Change Lives” items from the Tulsa Library gift shop. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the campaign. Visit www.tulsalibrary.org/giftshop; and
  • Purchasing a “Libraries Change Lives” gel bracelets for $1 from any Tulsa City-County Library

There will also be two fundraising events benefiting Tulsa Central Library Renewed.

  • Eat Bread to Raise Dough: June 5, from 4:00-8:00 PM, at two Panera Bread locations (41st and Hudson; 15th and Utica). Bring a flyer, available in the library’s event guide or printable from www.tulsalibrary.org, and Panera Bread will donate a percentage of its sales to the campaign.
  • Speakeasy: June 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Mayo Hotel Penthouse Rooftop Bar and Lounge, 115 W. Fifth St. Provide the password “Library” to enjoy cocktails, canapés, music and dancing. Flappers and lounge lizards are welcome.

Librarium at 11th and Denver will continue to serve library customers during the two-year renovation. For more information on how you can support the Tulsa Library Trust’s “Central Library Renewed Capital Campaign,” call Janis Updike Walker, Tulsa Library Trust executive director, 918-398-6644, or email, [email protected]. About Tulsa Library Trust: The Tulsa Library Trust is a non-profit organization that is shaping the future of the Tulsa City-County Library system. The Tulsa Library Trust supports the Tulsa City-County Library’s efforts to provide services to the half a million children, teens and adults who use the library. It strives to cultivate the love of reading and lifelong learning by offering programs, services and resources to communities in Tulsa County.

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LIST OF DONORS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF $28 MILLION TO THE TULSA CENTRAL LIBRARY RENEWED CAMPAIGN: The Bezalel Fund/Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (Lead Gift) AAON, Inc. The Mary K. Chapman Foundation The Helmerich Foundation George Kaiser Family Foundation Herman George Kaiser Foundation Nadel & Gussman Ms. Ruth Nelson A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation Zarrow Families Foundation The American Electric Power Foundation The Mervin Bovaird Foundation Sanford P. & Irene F. Burnstein Foundation Mr. Joseph W. Craft III Mr. & Mrs. John Graves Mr. & Mrs. Peter Meinig ONEOK, Inc. C.W. Titus Foundation Williams WPX Energy John Steele Zink Foundation Judith & Jean Pape Adams Charitable Foundation Broadhurst Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Frank Henke, III The Stephen E. & Shelley S. Jackson Family Foundation Mr. Robert J. LaFortune Ralph & Frances McGill Foundation James D. & Cathryn M. Moore Foundation Moran Family Foundation Renee Neuwald Foundation Fund The Charles and Peggy Stephenson Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Bob Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. William F. Thomas Patti Johnson Wilson Foundation Ms. Robin Flint Ballenger Joseph E. and Patricia D. Cappy Fund Mr. Bryan B. Close Dr. & Mrs. John F. Coyle, II Joel & Carol Jankowsky Foundation Mrs. Evelyn Rayzor Nienhuis Tulsa Foundation