Thanks to a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, the search for a book or DVD at the Lanier Library has become brighter, while at the same time helping the library to be more energy efficient.

“The grant from the foundation’s Board Initiative Fund made it possible for the library to participate in Duke Energy’s program to upgrade lighting in facilities operated by nonprofits,” said library Executive Officer Peter Franklin.  “The Duke Energy program provides a significant rebate to encourage commercial and nonprofit organizations to invest in upgraded lighting, but even with the discount from Duke, a significant investment was required  — that’s where the Polk County Community Foundation came in.

“The Duke Energy program is a great idea, and thanks to the community foundation, we were able to participate in it.”

In addition to the improved ambiance in the library, the new LED lighting enables the historic library to significantly reduce electricity usage.

The Lanier Library has had a long relationship with the Polk County Community Foundation. In fact, the foundation was one of several community groups housed at one point in its history in Lanier’s LeDuc Room.

In more recent times, the foundation has supported a number of important initiatives at Lanier, including the library’s integrated computerized library system, which was completed in 2017.

– Submitted by Clare O’Sheel