North Pocono Public Library officials are extending through the end of the year a fundraising campaign to eliminate debt accrued from construction of the library building.

The Our Next Chapter capital campaign has raised $926,000, closing in on the $1.2 million goal, Development Director Christopher Kelly said Friday. Launched in December, it was supposed to end in late May, but the library’s board decided to keep the campaign going.

He said doing so gives him, the campaign committee and staff time to solicit donations from individuals, families, companies and foundations. Kelly added there are a lot of donors they want to meet with to discuss the library and how they can contribute to the campaign.

The current 8,400-square-foot building in Moscow was opened in 2013 at a cost of $3 million. A fundraising campaign at that time for its construction raised more than $1 million, leaving the library with around $2.1 million remaining to cover the cost of the building. Over the years, the library was able to pay off some of the remaining $2.1 million, but there is still $1.8 million in debt left on the building. Lackawanna County’s library tax does not cover the cost of the building.

The library has been a part of David Hawk’s family since childhood. He recalls his mom taking him and his two sisters, Janice Liddic and Nancy Hawk, both avid readers, to the library when they were children every Friday.

This memory inspired the Hawk Family Foundation, which he co-chairs with his wife, Ann, to contribute $100,000 to the campaign in memory of Liddic, who passed away in 2016. The money will sponsor the library’s adult book collection.

“It was an opportunity to kind of remember her by naming the space after her,” David Hawk said. “I’m very, very glad we did it.”

The Hawks said the library is more than loaning books, as it has many wonderful programs and is available to anyone regardless of income.

“It’s become a real hub for the community,” David Hawk said. “I hope that they continue to expand and meet the needs of the North Pocono area.”

Kelly is confident they will reach the goal and is excited that the committee, composed of volunteers, is intent on achieving it.

“I love that volunteers are passionate enough about the library that they want to hit that goal,” he said. “That’s another reason our board is excited to support them.”

He also credits honorary Chairs Al and Dottie Magnotta with helping the library connect with donors to make it to the goal. Their daughter Alysia Clancy co-chairs the committee.

Library officials weren’t initially sure how the campaign would be received by the public but are thrilled that the community is embracing it because it shows how much people care about the library.

“We have had such positive feedback about the library and that’s what it boils down to: Do donors, residents, care about this as their public library? And they really do,” Kelly said. “We’ve seen it not only with the pledges but all the positive comments that have come back, because people get that this campaign will help solidify us for the foreseeable future.”

By eliminating the debt, he said, it allows the library to grow as the community grows.

People can donate to the campaign by visiting the library’s website or at the library.

Monday Update

THEN: The North Pocono Public Library launched the Our Next Chapter capital campaign in December with the goal of raising $1.2 million to eliminate accrued debt from the construction of the library building.

NOW: The campaign has been extended to the end of the year, with more than $900,000 raised.