By Hillary Gavan
For StatelineBusiness

ROSCOE -- "The majority of the community has touched this library in some way."

That's what Jane Burden, chair of the North Suburban Library District Board of Trustees said about the completion of the new 6,075-square-foot children's addition. After a massive fundraising effort, those at the library along with state and local officials celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday morning at the library at 5562 Clayton Circle.

Those at the North Suburban Library raised $42,000 for the new addition. Although they need to raise $1 million in order to fill it with furniture, shelves and computers, the library is well on its way to opening. Burden said the expansion will be ready for children in May or June.

"We are so excited that education means so much in our community," said Roscoe Trustee Sharon Atkins. "Seeing this come to fruition is wonderful."

State Rep. Dave Winters, R-Rockford, updated the crowd on the grant during the ceremony. He said Gov. Rod Blagojevich has earmarked $50,000 to go to the library, but everyone is still waiting to see if the money arrives.

Representatives from Larson and Darby Group of Rockford thanked library administrators and North Suburban Library Director Ann Powell for working with them to make the project run smoothly.

The library embarked on an expansion because of a cramped children's area. Construction began in August, according to Linda Blair, library marketing and public relations assistant.

Burden said those at the library tried a variety of fundraising efforts. One of them included a plant sale where volunteers dug up the plants on the construction site and then sold them in a special sale. Other fundraisers included a children's penny drive called Lincoln's for the Library and Artfully Yours, an evening of fine art, food, music, and a live and silent auction. Area businesses in Roscoe also pledged certain percentages of their sales to the library expansion project.

Burden is still hoping to find a corporate sponsor to help get laptop computers for the children's addition. Because laptops are so portable, Burden said they can be folded up and stored when not in use to maximize programming space. Burden already has a cart and special storage space waiting for the computers. She said the laptops could be used for tutoring, teaching computer skills and special after school programs for children.

"Donating would be an opportunity for an individual to enhance the community," Burden said.

Donations may be directed to Ann Powell at North Suburban Library. For more information call (815)623-6266.