Local businesses help North with financial problems

McDonald’s and Border’s Bookstore support fund-raisers to compensate for library budget cuts

sara truex <reporter>

Due to huge budget cuts of 90 percent this year, the SM North library has had to be creative with its sources of income.

The North library has participated in two fund-raisers this year, one with McDonald’s and the other with Borders Bookstore. Cassandra Savage, owner of the McDonald’s at 6767 Johnson Drive, contacted North earlier this year concerning the budget problems.

“She called and wanted to promote a partnership between (North) and McDonald’s,” said Barbara Brownlee, a SM North librarian.

This partnership began with an arrangement that a portion of the sales made every Tuesday in October at a McDonald’s on Johnson Driver would be donated to the North library. The library made approximately $250 this way.

“I think it is great that other business are helping the school because the library is important to the school,” said Miki Mert, parent of sophomore Laura Mertz.

Borders Bookstore recently held a Borders Benefits Day fund-raiser to raise money for many district area schools while North’s Strolling Strings preformed. Borders donated 15 percent of its sales to the schools. The North library received around $435 through this event.

Two more cappuccino days are planned for this year to raise additional funds. Students can come to the library with their class and purchase a cup of cappuccino for $1.   

The money received through these fund-raisers will mainly be used to buy new books. Students and teachers can make suggestions regarding what books should be purchased.

Money will probably be a problem in years to come, according to Brownlee.

“Educational funding is looking bleak,” Brownlee said, “we felt the need to fund-raise before.”