"I want to thank all our fundraising committee members who have worked so hard for many months and the many library patrons who have contributed so generously. It is a great tribute to how highly they value their library, especially in this difficult economic environment," campaign chair Bill McDonnal said during a recent Friends board meeting. It was announced at that meeting that Friends had exceeded its goal of raising $720,000 to help outfit the library and enhance its collection.

Following an appropriation in 2001 of $381,200 by the Joint Powers Authority, the county library's governing body, the Friends took on the task of raising the remaining $1.1 million designated for the library's furniture and collection.

Two years prior to this commitment, in anticipation of a new, expanded library, Friends established an expansion fund with money generated from the sale of used books and paperback books and rare book auctions. Friends began its "Furnishing the Future" campaign in 2002.

With the two funds combined, Friends exceeded the goal of $720,000 by an additional $43,000 as of Jan. 6, according to campaign spokesman Jim Givens. Cynthia Ruby, vice president of public relations for Friends, said that as a result the group will no longer actively seek campaign contributions, but anyone wishing to make a donation is still welcome to do so.

As Friends continues to collect money, employees at the library are urging residents to sign up as volunteer movers to help transfer books from the temporary library and warehouse to their new home once construction is complete. According to head librarian Dolly Barnes, approximately 180,000 books will have to be transferred. (Those interested in volunteering should contact the library at 408.867.6126.)

Designs for benches and trash receptacles for the new library were recently reviewed by the city council also. On Jan. 15, the council approved increasing the number of benches from six to 12 and substituting more expensive benches and matching trash receptacles for the original ones. The additional cost of the new benches and two trash cans is $19,777. The library expansion committee had recommended that the council follow this action.

While the majority of the council preferred the new benches, which they said looked nicer and were of higher quality, the lone dissenting voice came from Mayor Nick Streit.

"I have never approved anything for aesthetic reasons. It's the wrong use of public bond money," he said before the vote. Streit reminded his colleagues that they were gatekeepers of the bond money for the library and that Saratogans would be better served by having any unused funds go back to the taxpayers.

The council ultimately approved the new benches 3-1, with Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith absent.