Save the Library
Save the Library
Salamanca Library faces budget cut; local resident organizes fundraiser
photo/Candice Marie Walton
A recent occurrence in Salamanca, NY saw the local library taking a large hit to their budget and future funding. After much deliberation and pleading, the cuts have been finalized and will go in effect beginning April 1, 2021. The Salamanca Common Council delivered a critical blow to the library … a nearly 20% cut to the library’s budget. Fortunately, one resident by the name of Candice Walton has organized a fundraiser to sell custom merchandise, donating proceeds to the Salamanca Library.
While the library was busy mitigating the financial damage, Walton was busy constructing an online fundraiser. After contacting library manager Jennifer Stickles to confirm a mutual collaboration, Walton started organizing all kinds of fun and sharp-witted products to sell - items which include but are not limited to t-shirts, long sleeves, mugs and tumblers. Utilizing her own Facebook page, sales took off. Thus far, she has collected over $500 for the library.
With the ability to offer custom pre-orders, designing your own shirt or coffee mug makes this “fun”draiser FUN! Everything is custom catered to you, the buyer! Examples of a few reading-related quips that you can have printed on your products are: “the book was better”, “bookmarks are for quitters”, or “book nerd”. When you speak to Walton to place your custom order, you can choose your item, the color and the design. Make it your own! The best way to place an order is through Candice Marie Walton on Facebook, or call her directly at 814-596-3490. You can also stop by the Salamanca Library at your leisure and speak to a staff member, who will be happy to take your information and relay your order to Walton.
When asked why, Walton had this to say: “Usually I try to organize one or two fundraisers a year, and we know a local library can’t sustain and just make all of that money back in a few weeks. Plus it’s nostalgia; my dad read every night after work. He was never without a book in his hand.”
Furthermore, an optimistic Walton sees the future as bright, stating, “I would love to start more [fundraisers]; I know that people are going to wait and see what others buy so I hope it’s a snowball effect. I hope other people with initiative see our fundraiser and decide to start their own. We need all the help we can get, which is why I really appreciate what you guys are doing with this article!” Well Candice Walton, from this writer to the Salamanca Library and residents – we appreciate YOU!
In addition to Walton’s fundraiser, the library is also open to accepting donations, whether they be materials that staff can add to the collection or put into a book sale, or monetary. When making a monetary donation, an individual has the choice of specifying how they would like the library to use their donation. The library has also taken its own initiative through manager Jennifer Stickles, attempting to reach out for the aid of a Friends of the Library group. We have also been informed that anyone who feels so inclined as to become a volunteer for that group or make a donation to the Salamanca Library can contact staff to sign up. Reach out to Jennifer Stickles at manager@salamancalibrary.org or by calling 716-945-1890.
Remember that a picture says a thousand words. Knowledge is power, and with great power comes great responsibility. The library is a safe place for everyone and a book that resides there may just be your best friend. Whenever we’ve needed them, they have been there. Now let’s do our part to make sure we’re there for them.