VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A fundraising event to restore the roof of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library was held Saturday, March 16th.
Library Board President Hilde van Gijssel said the goal is to raise $381,000 to repair the roof and restore the rotunda dome back to it’s original state. She said the 120 year old library is not only a city gem but one of state historic value.
She said the library roof is in bad shape with missing and curling shingles, flashing is not working properly, which has caused the roof to leak. Ceiling and woodwork damage is taking place from the roof leaks and condensation putting library materials in jeopardy.
Van Gijssel said the library board hired the architectural firm of Michael J. Burns (MJBA) to be the project manager of the roof restoration. She said if all goes well a bid from a prospective contractor will be accepted in a few weeks and work on the roof will begin in May of 2024 and tentatively completed by August of 2024.
Van Gijssel said a 10-year loan was secured through the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.
The library will be holding more fundraising events this year to help reach their goal through generous donors in the region. A portion of their kick-off with Hilde van Gijssel’s presentation is attached below.
The fundraising event called “ Light Up the Library” was held Saturday, March 16th. The historic Carnegie Library open in Valley City back in 1903.
To learn more about the library or to donate to this project go to their website click here
