"Chapter X" raises money for library

Close to 200 people filled a ballroom at the White Oak Grand Hotel last Thursday evening, where the West Shore Community Library’s annual Chapter fundraiser was held.

This year’s event — called “Chapter X” because the fundraiser is in its 10th year — featured a wine tasting table filled with fine wines provided by Rocky Mountain Wine Company out of Kalispell.

As guests sampled from the selection of wine, they browsed the silent auction tables lining the room. Items up for bid included artwork donated by local artists, jewelry, themed book and wine baskets and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.

“We get everything in the auction by donation, so 100 percent of the profit goes to the library,” said Marnie Molloy, who is the president of the West Shore Community Library board of directors. “We raise about 50 percent of our annual operating cost (at this event).”

Last year, the Chapter fundraiser brought in about $30,000 for the library.

“It would be wonderful if we could do that again,” Molloy said.

According to Molloy, many of the donations come from the same people each year.

She added that most of the people who organize the event are also Chapter veterans.

“After 10 years, they have kind of gotten into a routine,” Molloy said.

The library offers the community a variety of free services, including six public computers and a wireless Internet signal. The library also allows people to check out printed books, audio books and DVDs.

“We usually see a spike in use during the summer months,” Molloy said. “The library is being used constantly.”

The library also has a shop where donated books are sold, which is another important revenue source for the library, according to Molloy.

“It’s especially important now, with Borders closing down,” she said.

Molloy said library board members are currently exploring the possibility of offering Amazon Kindle electronic book checkout.

“We’re hoping to maybe have that sometime within the next year,” Molloy said.