Washington Evening Journal
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Endowment makes library improvements possible
By Winona Whitaker, Hometown Current
Oct. 4, 2023 6:45 pm
MARENGO — New computers at the Marengo Public Library and landscaping around the building were made possible by an endowment from local philanthropist David Lee Stevens.
The gift will give the library funds for extras for years to come, said Library Director Jackie Jordan.
Stevens died April 25, 2018 at the age of 85 after a sudden illness, according to his obituary. He was born in 1933 in Marengo to Ben and Florence Minnaert Stevens and graduated from Hilton Consolidated School in Conroy in 1952.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55 during the Korean conflict.
Following his military service, Stevens farmed with his parents for many years. He moved to Marengo following an explosion that destroyed his home in 2006, his obituary says.
Stevens enjoyed being a farmer and lived mowing lawns. He was a talented woodworker who made frequent trips to Hobby Lobby and Harbor Freight.
The library received Stevens’ donation in 2019, and its board passed a resolution protecting the principal, said Jordan. The board put the money into three certificates of deposit from several banks and never touch the principal.
After three years, the board had enough money from the investment to take on other projects not covered by the library budget. The money is earmarked for building repairs and equipment, Jordan said.
The original donation beefed up the maker space in the basement, said Jordan. Landscaping around the building and all of the computers in the computer room were paid for from the endowment.
Julie Storck used one of the computers last week to shop for a new skillet. She doesn’t have a smartphone — nor does she want one. “So if I want to buy something on Amazon, I come here,” said Storck. “Otherwise I’d be calling my kids to order stuff for me.”
Storck also shops for concert tickets and checks her email. “Sometimes my kids send me stuff,” she said.
The library budget is $153,250, and about $103,000 of that comes from the City of Marengo, said Jordan. Other funds come from Friends of the Marengo Public Library. “We have a great Friends group,” she said.
The endowment allows the library to do things not covered by funding from the city. “It’s not meant … to replace their funding,” Jordan said.
Stevens was a giving person in the community, said Jordan. He gave money to the fire department and the hospital as well as to the library.
Jordan would like to install a memorial rock at the library in Stevens’ honor, she said. That’s another project for the future.