Library surpasses goal for capital campaign
Along with its major expansion project, the Library kicked off the Reimagine Your Library Capital Campaign with a goal of raising $1 million dollars to help fund the project in the summer of 2025. The campaign wrapped up in the summer of 2026, surpassing its goal as a total of $1,149,474 was raised from 471 gifts. With donations ranging from $5 – $250,000, the community’s support in funding the expansion reinforced the importance of the Library’s place in the community.
The community-wide support will help transform the Library. More than 400 contributed to the campaign, from individuals to organizations to businesses, investing in an expanded and reimagined Library. Their donations will help create a future-ready Library to serve generations to come.
“I’m awed by the response of the community,” says the Library’s executive director Heidi Smith. That the capital campaign was such a success is a tribute to the community’s regard for the Library’s mission as well as their generosity.
It’s this generosity that is helping to bring the vision of a reimagined Library to life. Once complete, the expanded Library will feature a state-of-the-art makerspace where all ages can design and create; an enhanced area for children to play and explore — with more space for books, too; an enlarged archive that preserves the city’s history, with a reading room accessible to the public; and increased capacity to learn, be enriched, and connect at Library programs in a new community meeting room. New ADA-compliant restrooms and an elevator will round out the project.
A major gift of $250,000 from the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund was the first donation to the capital campaign. “People mattered to Al and Ann Baum, the couple the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund is named for,” said Joel M. Friedman, president of the Baum Fund. “Al was a lifelong resident of Highland Park, and he would want his neighbors to have a library that meets the community’s needs.”
In recognition of the gift, the new community meeting room will be named the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Community Meeting Room. The Alvin H. Baum Family Fund has generously supported various Library initiatives over the years. Now, the new community meeting room, a major element of the Library’s expansion, will bear the Baum Family Fund name. It’s here that the Library’s literary and cultural programs featuring noteworthy speakers, award-winning and bestselling authors, and acclaimed musicians will take place. And it’s here where the community will find opportunities for lifelong learning, enrichment, enjoyment, and connection.
Another major gift — of $100,000 — from Rob and Terri Olian was also received early in the capital campaign. Rob Olian has served for close to 15 years on the Highland Park Public Library Board of Trustees including two terms as president. In recognition of the Olian’s generosity, a new space will be named the Rob and Terri Olian Youth Activity Room. “With this gift to support a new cutting-edge Youth Activity Room, we hope families throughout the community will come to love the Highland Park Library as much as ours does,” said the Olians.
The Friends of the Library, a volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the Library, donated $105,000 to the campaign. Their donation will help fund the Makerspace, study areas in the Youth Department, and booths in the designated middle school room. The Friends of the Library has supported collections, materials, and special programs that are beyond the Library’s budget throughout the years. This new investment in the Library’s future will continue their impact on enriching the Library for years to come.
Says Suzanne Zweig, president of the Friends of the Library, “The Friends of the Library is pleased to support the Library’s expansion project and help fund the Makerspace. Over the years, we’ve purchased items that support the concept of a makerspace – items used to design and create. Now, we’re thrilled to help fund a dedicated Makerspace where there will be more opportunities for all ages to design and create with even more equipment and programming.”
Cari and Michael J. Sacks’ donation of $100,000 will fund the Highland Park Archives and Local History Collections. This new space for Highland Park’s history will be named for the Sacks family. It’s here that the community’s past can be discovered, and the new reading room that’s part of the space will increase access to the collection.
Notes Cari Sacks, “The Highland Park Library has been a part of my life since I was four years old. I distinctly remember the pride of getting my first library card and how exciting it was to check out books as a young reader. It is my hope that future generations of children will get to experience those same feelings and that they will learn to love the places a book can take you.”
All members of the Library’s current board of trustees contributed to the capital campaign. Board president Irene Hoffman, when contributing to the campaign, noted, “I believe the Library is a place of magic. Where adventures and discoveries can begin and take flight. With my gift, I hope to create a safe space where dreams can flourish!” The Overlook Nook, a seating area in the Youth Services Department with windows overlooking the ravine and Stupey Cabin, will be named for the Hoffman family.
Board member Ashley Lapin Olian explained that she and her husband Jared “were so excited to contribute to the capital campaign.” The Gallery, a new space within the Library that will display new books and materials along with art, will be named for the Olians. “There’s nothing more exciting than stepping through the door of the Library…The Gallery is where that adventure begins and so it was the perfect place for us,” explained Lapin Olian.
Former board members are investing in a reimagined Library as well. Chris Sheahen is one such former board member. Sheahen served on the Library’s board of trustees for many years, including two terms as president. Said Sheahen, “Growing up in Highland Park, I was first introduced to the Library when my mother took me to the children’s room at a young age. Since then, the Library has remained an integral part of my life. We [Chris and Vicki Sheahen] are pleased to make a donation to name the play area in the Youth Discovery Room The Sheahen Family Playscape.”
Along with Chris Sheahen, past presidents of the board of trustees Kenneth Henry, Rhoda Pierce, and Gail Taxy supported the expansion with donations to the capital campaign. The Donna Fletcher Schur Trust contributed to the campaign in memory of former board member and past president Donna Fletcher. Barbara Mazur and current president of the Friends of the Highland Park Public Library Suzanne Zweig are also past board of trustee members who have supported the capital campaign.
After years of planning, a future-ready Library, transformed for today’s residents of Highland Park and for generations to come, is nearing completion. “We can’t wait to show the community what their support has helped to build,” says the Library’s executive director Heidi Smith. “More importantly,” Smith continues, “we can’t wait to welcome everyone in to explore, learn, create, and connect.”
