Each shelf costs $1,000, with architecturally designed end panels and lighting fixtures, and plaques will be installed on shelves to recognize donors.

The library also needs money for reference tables, lighting and desks.

Because fundraising efforts have been hampered by a controversy last year over naming a community building after an Asian American donor, the foundation has only raised $200,000, far from the targeted $1.5 million needed to furnish the library.

The foundation and the city council had a joint meeting on Jan. 21 to explore ways to find the funding.

The public works staff proposed closing the library on Sundays, downgrading the building's furniture or issuing a bond.

Although the Santa Clara County Library system, which the Cupertino Library belongs to, pays for the hours the library is open, the city pays for the hours on Sunday because of the county's budget shortfall.

But the city council and the library foundation members don't like the proposal.

"Sunday is the library's busiest day, especially since it only opens four hours that day," said Mary-Ann Wallace, Cupertino Library supervisor. Cupertino is the most-used library in the county. An average of 650 items are checked out each hour.

Cupertino Library Foundation board member Nicôl Lea said the proposal sent a wrong message to the community.

"You are building a $21 million library and you are reducing the library hours. There must be some creative solutions," Lea said.

To help the foundation, Don Allen, chairman and founding president of Cupertino National Bank, will host a luncheon party at his bank on Jan. 30 for prospective donors.

"This should be a campaign of and for the community," Lea said.

Those interested in making a donation can make checks payable to the Cupertino Library Foundation and mail them to 19764 Auburn Dr., Cupertino 95014. For more information, call Barbara Rogers, board member of the Cupertino Library Foundation.