Since 1892, Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, NY, has been a central resource to over 250,000 people per year and providing over 200 programs serving children to seniors. Unlike most public libraries, Crandall Library has a high-quality Folk Life collection, a medical library and medical librarian.
The Library, housed in a 1931 historic building, was squeezed for space, badly in need of modernization, and trying to meet the demands of an ever-growing number of library users. It became increasingly clear that a major renovation was urgently needed.
Crandall Public Library retained Innovative Resources Group as counsel for a capital project funded by a bond referendum on the general election ballot and a comprehensive capital campaign for the $18.75 million project. Since the library district encompassed three separate municipalities, the bond referendum had to separately pass in three disparate municipalities.
Rather than a traditional campaign feasibility study, Innovative Resources conducted a pre-campaign planning study that simultaneously prepared the Library for a ballot initiative and a capital campaign. By widening the context for the project, Innovative Resources guided the Campaign Leadership Team to articulate the project as a thriving economic asset in a rebounding region. The firm's Creative Services team wrote and designed a logo and theme, "Strong Library= Strong Future: Renovating Our Regional Treasure Campaign."
Guided by the detailed strategic action plan prepared by Innovative Resources Group, and graced with extraordinary leadership, community support and perseverance, the bond referendum was passed and the capital campaign successfully raised the funds needed. Renovation began in the summer of 2007 and was completed in 18 months.
