Grant Writing Committee
Chairperson: Diann Simmons     983.8383

Currently putting together a foundation application information template for use in applying to approximately 50 Foundations over the next 12 months. We were awarded $10,000 (see below) on our first grant application to the County of Mendocino Tobacco Settlement Revenue, Health Promotion Projects. So, we are one for one and hopefully our percentage will stay close to that range! If you have writing abilities, or are willing to help copy and put together grant packages, give me a call.

A New Round Valley Public Library/Commons

 
            At the Board of Supervisors' meeting on December 11, 2007, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve a grant of $10,000 to the Friends of  Round Valley Public Library. This money will be added to the $185,000 that the Friends have raised from fund raisers such as the sale of the Family Book to the old families of Round Valley as well as  donations from close to 200 individuals and 20 businesses since the building campaign began in April of this year.
            The Round Valley Public Library began in 1978 in a small space in the Round Valley Inn. Sometime in the 80's it was moved to next to CBS Hardware store on the main street of Covelo.  The next move, a few years later, was to a space right next to what is now the Tri Counties Bank.  In 1990, after twelve years of solely volunteer support, the RVPL was brought into the Mendocino County Library system. That was when Georgina Wright was hired as the first paid librarian. Georgina continues to this day to keep the community informed with books and internet service.
            In September of this year the Friends closed escrow on the purchase of the Round Valley Inn, a former restaurant just west of the post office in Covelo. The RVI will significantly increase the book stack space for books plus a children's room, periodical room, Native American archives and books area, computer stations, media room, a small café, a community commercial kitchen and a large multi-purpose community room for performances, art shows, community events, classes, and rental uses. A large covered patio area off the back of the building will offer outdoor seating for the café along with an extended area off the community room for performances and community events.  The Friends membership includes over thirty people from a broad cross section of the very interesting four thousand people who call Round Valley home.  The second phase of fund raising will include dinners, musical entertainments, Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournaments, raffles, sales of tee shirts, coffee mugs and cookbooks.
            This new facility will be called The Round Valley Public Library/Commons. This is to emphasis the fact that this is not just a library but a place to bring the RV community together for guest speakers, AA meetings, reading programs for children, a warm place to have a mocha with friends along with many more activities and uses. The total cost is estimated at approximately a million dollars.  The Friends are optimistic that personal and business donations combined with grants will meet this goal.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to The Friends of Round Valley Public Library at P. O. Box  620, Covelo, CA 95428. Phone 707-983-6736.