Well, its been almost 8 years since we started this incredible journey, but the time has come to invite you to the Fitchburg Library's Preview Gala and Auction, and Grand Opening events!

On June 25, the library will host a sneak preview night and auction. This is a ticketed event--$40 per person, or 2 for $100, which includes parking in the underground parking ramp.  All adults in our community are welcome to join us.  Auction items include football tickets, basketball tickets, golf outings, restaurant offerings, fun stuff related to books and just general fun stuff.  There will be great music, tours of the library facilities and the technology that's built in, yummy cocktail food and drinks, and of course, you're supporting a good cause, the library capital campaign.  We've raised almost $3.4 million of our $4.0 million goal--almost half of which will fund the library collection of books, CD's, DVD's and audio books. Our collection will be over 90,000 + items strong within 3 years of opening, but we need to meet our campaign goal to do this.  (FYI, all gifts given before the end of 2011 will be matched 50% by an anonymous donor. Details about the Capital Campaign are at:  www.fitchburgcitylibrary.com.)

On June 29, the library will host its official "ribbon cutting" ceremony.  The ceremony begins at 9:00am, and the library is open for business after that!  There is no charge to attend this event , although a RSVP is appreciated, so we know how much coffee, juice and donut holes to have on hand.  Everyone is invited to attend the Grand Opening. You'll be able to sign up for your Fitchburg Library card at that time as well.

We've attached a flyer for both events, as well as a registration form for the Preview Gala.  We hope you'll plan to attend one or both events. Please email us if you have any questions, or would like to contribute an auction item:  events@fitchburgcitylibrary.com.

The response to this project has been great.  We  hope you'll come see what we've done in Fitchburg to make our library relevant in the 21st century and create a sustainable civic building at the same time.

We'd like to ask a favor--if you are a member of book clubs, neighborhood associations or other groups who might be interested in learning about the Gala or the Grand Opening, PLEASE forward this email to them.  We need your help to get the word out about this great civic project.

Thanks, and hope to see you all at the library--where our city connects!!

Marykay Zimbrick, Library Board Vice President and
Wendy Rawson, Library Director