Library Fundraising Surpasses Half Million Goal

When final plans were approved for a new library in Pugwash, some people drew a long breath when they heard the community had to raise a half million dollars for the project. It turns out, a piece of cake.

Co-chair of the fundraising committee, Liz Clarke, reported to County Council tonight the goal was exceeded by another 90 thousand.

Clarke and her colleague Denise Leahey put together an action plan and found the community waiting with open arms. Clarke said, “It was a project whose time had come.”

Leahey echoed the positive feeling suggesting, “People have wanted this for a very long time and support came from all around, not just Pugwash.”

When the question of local fundraising was first floated, some worried the project might be delayed, but County Council agreed to start building and worry about the community share later. As it tuns out, the community has met its obligation months ahead of the planned opening, next spring.

Meanwhile, council agreed tonight to name a special room in the facility “The Betty C. Murray Memorial Community Room.”

Murray, a native Nova Scotian, lived a number of years in the United States with her physician husband before returning to retire in Lorneville.

She was an english teacher, avid reader, and a champion of the public library.

Her family donated $100,000 as a “namesake gift” to the Pugwash project.

The photo shows the fundraisers meeting the politicians inside the new library under construction. Left to right: Deputy Mayor Jennifer Houghtaling, Mayor Murray Scott with the fundraising co-chairs Denise Leahey and Liz Clark.

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