Hatch Foundation Makes Lead Gift on Library Center Auditorium
April 8, 2024 — Hatch Foundation Makes Lead Gift on Library Center Auditorium
The Springfield-Greene County Library Foundation is excited to announce that the Hatch Foundation has made a significant $600,000 gift towards the construction of a Library Center Auditorium. The new space will be named the Hatch Auditorium. The project, set to break ground in September, will add a 500-seat auditorium and 9,430-square-foot facility on the west side of the Library Center.
In 2022, the Springfield-Greene County Library District received America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be used for capital projects in the district. The Library will be reimbursed for half of the expended cost up to $10.5M. The Library Board of Trustees decided on three projects: renovation and upgrades to the historic Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, a new or renovated Republic Branch Library and an auditorium expansion for the Library Center.
The Library Center’s meeting rooms have been at capacity for many years, with the largest space only holding 120 guests. In the past year, due to large events, the Library has had to pay to move the shelving to accommodate crowds of 400+. This new space will allow the library to continue hosting events free to the public and will also be available for public use.
“The Hatch Foundation is incredibly excited to see the new auditorium come to fruition at The Library Center. This space will provide wonderful opportunities for the community to come together and enjoy new experiences, from live performances to visual arts and book signings. I am thankful for the vision of this new space and the regional impact it will have, “ said Erin Danastasio with the Hatch Foundation.
The Springfield-Greene County Library is a 10-branch system serving the residents of Greene County, MO. For more information, visit www.thelibrary.org or contact Vickie Hicks, community relations director, at 417-616-0564 or vickieh@thelibrary.org.
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