The Cupertino Courier

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Jonathan Herzog, 2 and Dylan West, 7, showed their support for the library by donating spare change to the 1997 Penny Drive.

Time for 'change' at the library

By Dwana Bain

This is the sound of a new book: Plunk.

Here's what new library software sounds like: Plunk-plunk-plunk.

The Cupertino Library Foundation is building a better library one plunk at a time. And by dropping a penny into a five-gallon water jug--plunk--residents can do their part, too.

The foundation envisions the penny drive--launched earlier this month--as a way for all of Cupertino, from children to grandparents, to buy library improvements.

"We thought this would be a great way to involve the community," foundation member Gail West said.

Immediate goals include improving the library's collection of books, tapes and software. "We hope to reach out to all ethnic groups in Cupertino," West said. "We would like to feel that our collection reflects the incredible diversity in the community."

Already, Lincoln, Stevens Creek and Christa McAuliffe elementary schools have signed on to collect pennies for the library. The campaign will last throughout the school year.

Visitors to the library are also plunking down change.

The library's long-term goals, independent of the penny drive, include establishing an endowment fund and opening a new building.

"We're looking toward a state-of-the-art research library," West said.

Anyone interested in collecting pennies at their school or business is urged to call West at 446-9201.

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