Crowdfunding Success Transforms Mainz-Lerchenberg Library into Family Haven

Happy ending for the Lerchenberg district library: Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, new furniture can be purchased – so that young readers (and their grown-up companions) will feel even more comfortable in the future. The fundraising campaign, supported by Volksbank Darmstadt Mainz, ran for three months at the end of last year. The goal: 10,000 euros.

“At times, it didn’t look as if we would raise the money, so we were a bit nervous,” recalls Dorothea Alber, director of the reading paradise on Lerchenberg. But just under a week before the deadline, the crowdfunding goal was reached – and even a little more – thanks to 114 donors. The check, which Volksbank representative Peter Jost now presented to the library team, was for exactly 10,390 euros.

After the crowdfunding, the library is now even more family-friendly

Alber was delighted with the success of the crowdfunding campaign: “This is a fantastic support for us; you can see that the people of Lerchenberg take it seriously and appreciate us.” She also thanked the Volksbank, which had matched each donation by 33.3 percent. “Supporting the region with projects that, in turn, benefit society” is important to them, Jost emphasized during the donation presentation.

Crowdfunding is a great way to engage members of an institution or a local community for joint projects. Thomas Busch, chairman of the Mainz Library Society (MBG), also emphasized that such campaigns maintain the importance of libraries in the minds of Mainz residents. The MBG initiated the crowdfunding campaign.

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The colorfully decorated container building on Hindemithstrasse is now to be transformed into an even more family-friendly space. Alber has already acquired new items, including a cozy reading corner with a large armchair, floor lamp, and side table. A large brown teddy bear has already made itself comfortable on the armchair. Furniture for elementary school children and height-adjustable counters are also planned.

Since the library will have to move from its current location in the future – a new home is planned in the old community center – the redesign was also a good fit, says Alber. The container was planned as a temporary solution in 2014 – but ended up staying longer. Over 10,000 media items are available for loan here, from storybooks and Tonie boxes for very young children, to comics and non-fiction books for elementary school, to parenting guides and fiction for adults. Around 400 children are registered at the library, and there are also partnerships with local daycare centers and schools.

The importance of the institution for the district was also emphasized by local mayor Alper Kömür (SPD), who was also present at the donation ceremony. Many people from different social backgrounds come together on Lerchenberg. Therefore, a place like the library, which offers space and peace, is particularly important for children from socially disadvantaged areas.

Stephan Fliedner, Head of the Department of Culture and Libraries, also emphasized the relevance of such “third places” for districts in his speech. He stated that the Lerchenberg Family Library is an easily accessible meeting place that connects people. And thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Lerchenberg residents, readers can now immerse themselves not only in stories but also in comfortable corners.

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(Featured image by cestsibon via Unsplash)

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First published in Allgemeine Zeitung. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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