Reaffirm – Respond – Reimagine – Renovate

Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is pleased to announce the 2022 – 2023 Sheldon Statewide program, On the Road Again, which features artworks that celebrate and commemorate the iconic American road trip. This exhibition was made possible through a generous sponsorship by Kim West Dinsdale.

The touring exhibition seeks to visualize this tradition of traveling across multiple media. Paintings of dreamy landscapes show how the natural world influences the way we travel through it. Photographs, both color and greyscale, serve as a classic form of documenting vacation, travel, and the sites we see along the way. This exhibition makes an effort to include works and narratives relevant and recognizable to the people of Nebraska who will view it throughout the year.

Generously sponsored by Kim West Dinsdale in partnership with the Grand Island Public Library Foundation.

The Grand Island Public Library and Foundation do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in this display.  Please contact Jeanne Simons at 308-385-5333 ext. 118 or jeannes@gilibrary.org with any questions about this show or to schedule a future show in the Grand Island Public Library Art Alcove.

Photo: Steve Fitch, “Grand View Motel, Highway 87, Raton, New Mexico, December 18, 1980,” printed 2018. Archival pigment print.

Join the Friends of the Public Library for their 2022 Book Sale on Friday, July 22 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, July 24 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Books of of all levels and genres will be available. Don’t miss out on this HUGE selection of books!

On behalf of the Library and Foundation, we give sincere thanks to the Go Big GIVE Organization and Sponsors, Donors, Friends of the Library, The Chocolate Bar, Paper Tiger Shredding, Volunteers, Board Members and Library Staff for helping us raise $7,800 during Go Big Give! We are so very thankful for your support and dedication to City of Grand Island – Public Library and the many patrons they serve! Thank you for investing in free access to life-long learning.

To make a donation, visit: https://giplf.org/donate

The Library Foundation will once again participate in Go Big Give to benefit Grand Island Public Library! This is the 9th year for the one day of online giving throughout the community. You can support the Library with your donation between April 25th (pre-giving) and May 5th. Make your gift here: https://www.gobiggive.org/grandislandpubliclibraryfoundation

We are celebrating the 10 decades that the Grand Island Public Library has served our community. We kindly suggest patrons think back fondly on a special memory which involved the help of the library and to make a honorary donation. Be watching our social media for updates about this Decades Challenge and Go Big Give.

The Library and Foundation will host several events on Go Big Give Day, May 5th, so mark your calendar! Chocolate Bar coffee will be available from 9:00AM-Noon, Paper Tiger will be here shredding documents for library card holders from 9:00AM-11:00AM. The Friends of the Library will host a BOGO Book Sale- buy one get one on books all day from 9:00AM-6:00PM.

We are providing a link to the events on the Library Facebook page for more detailed information: https://www.facebook.com/gilibrary/events/?ref=page_internal

The Grand Island Public Library Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Library Annual Sponsorship Program. Area businesses, organizations and individuals can support the ongoing needs of the library and their patrons, with the annual sponsorship of the many library special events, programs and services. The Foundation, since 1961 has helped fill a gap to provide funding for innovative programs, facility updates and lifelong learning opportunities for library patrons, usually at no charge. The program will provide businesses recognition according to their desired sponsorship level.

“We are excited to be able to partner with many library advocates in our community in a way that provides more formalized recognition for their business. The sponsorship program provides the library funding to meeting community needs beyond what city funding can provide” Leigh Lillibridge, Foundation Executive Director shared.

For more information about the program, visit: tps://giplf.org/become-a-sponsor/

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 9 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Show your support for your library and their many programs and services by donating on Giving Tuesday! Make your gift on Tuesday, November 30th at https://giplf.org/online-donation-form/

The Grand Island Public Library Foundation received the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section Advocacy Award on Saturday, November 13th. Pat Leach with the Nebraska Library Assocation presented the award to Foundation Board President, Alan Leper.

The award recognizes the foundation’s exceptional work in supporting the library. The Foundation provides annual support to the library for programs and events, as well as funding support for capital campaigns and facility improvements. The Foundation’s most recent project was the addition of the Sandhill Crane Sculputre which was installed at the library in September. The installation marked the end of a multi-year renovation campaign, supported by the Foundation.

For information on how you can make a donation or volunteer, contact Leigh Lillibridge at (308) 385-5333 or email: Leigh.giplfoundation@gmail.com

Ed Meedel, Library Liaison, Pat Leach, Nebraska Library Assocation, Celine Swan, GIPL Director, Alan Lepler, GIPL Foundation Board President, Duane Burns, GIPS Foudation Past President, Leigh Lillibridge, GIPL Foundation Executive Director and Kim Mettenbrink, GIPL Foundation Volunteer Coordinator

Artist Gary Staab’s sculpture “New Heights” comes to the Library

The name of the sculpture, “New Heights,” was submitted by community member Norbert Wenzel
during the naming contest in 2019. World-renowned artist Gary Staab is a Grand Island
native. He is pleased to be able to bring his crane art to help beautify Grand Island and bring
awareness to sandhill cranes and their migration story.

The majority of the value of this sculpture has been given through a generous financial gift
by the Staab family of Grand Island and an in-kind gift of labor by the sculptor. The Grand
Island Public Library Foundation has conducted fundraising efforts to provide the seating wall,
electrical, landscaping, taxes, and other related expenses necessary for completion of this landmark addition to our community’s quality of life amenities.

A community-wide dedication ceremony will be held September 24th at 5:30 P.M. at the Grand
Island Public Library. The public is encouraged to attend.

Crane Sculpture to be installed at Grand Island Public Library

August 19, 2021 10:00 am

The name of the sculpture, “New Heights”, was submitted by community member, Norbert Wenzel during the naming contest in 2019.  Artist Gary Staab, is a world-renowned artist and Grand Island native. He is pleased to be able to bring his crane art to help beautify Grand Island and bring awareness to sandhill cranes and their migration story.

The majority of the value of this sculpture has been given through a generous financial gift by the Staab family of Grand Island and an in-kind gift of labor by the sculptor. The Grand Island Public Library Foundation has conducted fundraising efforts to provide seating wall, electrical, landscaping, taxes, and other related expenses necessary for  completion of this landmark addition to our communities quality of life amenities.

A community-wide dedication ceremony will be announced once the sculpture is in place. Follow both the Library and Foundation’s social media channels to follow the project as it is installed and for the latest on the pending dedication ceremony.

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We are proud to have amazing volunteers at the Grand Island Public Library!

Special thanks to Kim Mettenbrink, Volunteer Coordinator for her work recruiting, training and scheduling our talented and dedicated volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, click here https://giplf.org/volunteer/

Enjoy this article from the Grand Island Independent about the program.

https://theindependent.com/news/local/making-a-difference-volunteering-at-the-library-is-something-for-everyone/article_7420ea80-d213-11eb-82c5-ff29f61cf317.htm

The children of Dr. William “Bill” and Mary Grange are honoring their parents’ legacy with a Memorial Challenge Grant to the Grand Island Public Library Foundation during Go Big Give. The $5,000 Challenge Grant will be earned if the Foundation raises $5,000 during Go Big Give.

Leigh Lillibridge, Foundation Executive Director shares, “Bill and Mary were tutors and mentors to many in Grand Island. They spent many hours helping others learn at the Library. They not only changed the lives and literacy of their students, they left a lasting impression on how to live abundantly by giving time to help others. Their selfless devotion of time and talent is something we are delighted to help our community remember and honor.

Bill and Mary were Grand Island residents for more than 60 years and both passed away in 2020.  Bill was a cherished optometrist, known for his ability to make every patient feel special and remembered by name even years later. Mary, who was an avid reader and weekly library patron, is remembered for her great wisdom and sage advice.  The Grange children are happy to make this Memorial Challenge Grant possible for the betterment of the Library and for our community. It is the Foundation’s sincere hope that the Grange Family gift will inspire others to give a donation as well and to spend time volunteering to make a difference in the lives of others as Bill and Mary did.” 

To make a gift in Memory of Dr. Bill & Mary to help the Foundation meet Memorial Grant Challenge, you can do so by visiting the Foundation’s Go Big Give page. Please make your gift between now and midnight on May 6 at https://www.gobiggive.org/grandislandpubliclibraryfoundation

To learn more about Dr. Bill & Mary and their amazing legacy, please visit these articles: https://theindependent.com/news/local/humor-is-literacy-tutors-secret-weapon/article_3a0358c0-bb21-11e4-b83f-77e703a260dd.html

http://eachmanslife.blogspot.com/2015/08/dr-bill-grange.html

Grand Island Public Library Foundation will participate in the 8th Annual Go Big Give on Thursday, May 6th. Funds raised during the 24 hour online giving event will be used to support the ongoing program and renovation needs of the Grand Island Public Library.

In conjunction with Go Big Give, the Library will host Makerspace Tours with the opportunity to make a bookbag first come, first serve while supplies last during sessions from 11:00AM-1:00PM or 4:00PM-6:00PM. For more information about the sessions or to schedule a time to use equipment at Makerspace, please call the Library at (308) 385-5333.

The Chocolate Bar will be at the Library the morning of May 6th! They will be giving a percent of their sales to the Library Foundation in support of Go Big Give! Come have coffee with us!

To make a Go Big Give donation visit: https://www.gobiggive.org/grandislandpubliclibraryfoundation

Please click the link below to learn about 2020 at the Library and the Foundation. It was quite a year! Thank you for your continued support of your Library!

Every gift matters to our patrons!!! Make your tax deductible donation today at: https://giplf.org/online-donation-form/

Sylvia Wald (Philadelphia, PA 1915–New York, NY 2011), Farmer’s Antic. Seven-color serigraph, 1955; 22 × 16 1/2 inches. Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Anna R. and Frank M. Hall Charitable Trust, H-430.1956.

Sheldon Statewide Exhibition “Compact Rhythms”

“Compact Rhythms,” an exhibition of artworks from Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, opens at the Grand Island Public Library on January 6, 2021.

The exhibition is part of Sheldon Statewide, an annual program through which works from the museum’s collection travel to venues throughout Nebraska. Since its inception in 1987, the program has taken exhibitions to 25 communities, reaching more than 363,000 people.

“Compact Rhythms” highlights artists who have used abstraction to explore different ways of looking at the world around them. It presents a variety of modes and styles of nonrepresentational art throughout the twentieth century, focusing on instances where artists chose deliberately to work on a smaller scale.

The intimate scale of the featured works provides opportunities for close encounters with the art, allowing the viewer’s gaze to linger over the surface of the paintings and prints in order to observe the materials used and the forms depicted. The exhibition features works by artists Joseph Albers, Grace Hartigan, Alfred Henry Maurer, Joan Mitchell, Corita Kent, Seong Moy, and Sylvia Wald among others.

Kim West Dinsdale and the Grand Island Public Library Foundation sponsors the Grand Island exhibition, which is on view through February 1.

The Sheldon Statewide exhibition series receives funding support from Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Nebraska, Rhonda Seacrest, the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Sheldon Art Association. Visit their website at https://sheldonartmuseum.org/sheldon-statewide-0

The Grand Island Public Library is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit the Library’s website at http://www.gilibrary.org.

Please contact the Library for more details at (308) 385-5333.

Support the Library with your Gift today! https://giplf.org/online-donation-form/

During uncertain times such as these we realize more that ever who and what are important. The people, the community, unity, places, and resources that serve all.

As you plan for the future, remember to keep in mind the mission of the Grand Island Public Library Foundation. Bridging the gap in funding, bringing innovation to the community, providing for needed programs and services. We are opening the doors of opportunity for business and/or personal learning and gatherings.

As our wonderful community grows and changes, your support in whatever way possible is needed. Donations can be made of many different types. Volunteering, inviting, sharing, participating, and growing is so important so we have the ability to serve Grand Island and the surround communities. Everyone is valued and needed.

We are all in this together! Thank you for doing your part!