East Hampton, NY (PRWEB) November 14, 2013
On behalf of his family, Alec Baldwin has donated $1 million to the East Hampton Library for the New Children's Addition, now under construction. Mr. Baldwin said, "I am making this gift to help complete the project and to encourage other residents to help support this vital institution in the town. Libraries are the cornerstone of a great community.”
The donation will be used to underwrite the completion of The Baldwin Family Lecture Room in the new addition, providing space for children’s programs, film screenings, poetry readings, historical lectures, author and book events. Dennis Fabiszak, the Director of the Library, noted that “This significant donation will also make possible our plan to install a simulcast system bringing lectures from the New York Public Library and all over the world for our residents to enjoy.”
As Chair of the Capital Campaign and Executive Vice President of the Library, Sheila Rogers expressed her appreciation to Mr. Baldwin for all of the generosity he has bestowed on the Library for many years. "I am thrilled that Alec is so supportive of our wonderful library and is helping us to make it even better for everyone in our community."
Tom Twomey, Chair of the Library, stated, "One hundred percent of the construction cost for the addition is being donated by generous gifts from residents in the community. Over the last several years, Alec has been a tremendous supporter of the Library. His incredibly generous gift brings us closer to our final fundraising goal—helping to make the East Hampton Library one of the finest small libraries in America.”
Don Hunting, President of the Library, said, "This significant gift from the Baldwin Family is a dream come true. It is the generosity of our friends and neighbors like Mr. Baldwin that makes East Hampton such a great place to live."
Mr. Baldwin serves as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Library’s Children’s Addition Committee and is the Founding Honorary Co-Chair of the Library’s annual Authors Night fundraising event. This marks Mr. Baldwin’s fourth donation to the Library for the New Children’s Addition; he previously donated $100,000 in 2012, $250,000 in 2011, and $25,000 in 2010, totaling $1,375,000.
The New Children’s Addition, designed by noted architect Robert A.M. Stern, will add 6,800 square-feet to the existing Library, allowing for the addition of 10,000 more children’s books, new computers, seating, and other age-appropriate improvements. The addition will also allow for the installation of a second elevator, making the entire Library handicapped accessible, and provide 16 new parking spaces (bringing the total of parking spaces to 42).
http://www.easthamptonstar.com/News/20131114/Baldwin-Donates-Cool-Mil