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Spark an idea.

Spark a connection.

Spark the future.

Contact the Foundation

Spark an idea.

Spark a connection.

Spark the future.

Contact the Foundation
Young girl wearing headphones and using library online services smiles at a laptop screen.

The Spark Campaign ignites the future of the Pierce County Library System and the communities it serves—sparking ideas, connections, and creativity to improve lives throughout the region.

In partnership with the City of Sumner, generous community funders and donors, and with voter approval from the citizens of Sumner, we will now build a new Sumner Library building on Main Street. This modern new building will offer services and a design that reflects community interest.

The Spark Campaign ignites the future of the Pierce County Library System and the communities it serves—sparking ideas, connections, and creativity to improve lives throughout the region.

In partnership with the City of Sumner, generous community funders and donors, and with voter approval from the citizens of Sumner, we will now build a new Sumner Library building on Main Street. This modern new building will offer services and a design that reflects community interest.

A man, holding a newspaper, and a boy, holding a library book, sit next to each other and laugh.

When communities change, we change— ensuring access to learning and the services that are most needed and valued.

As a community resource, the new library building will include dedicated space for non-profit partners, providing access to equitable services for residents of East Pierce County.

Pierce County Library System is deeply embedded in the communities we serve, and welcomes EVERYONE, from early learners to adults through:

  • 19 library locations
  • Online services and resources
  • Technology that includes free access to computers, Wi-Fi and classes

Your support will allow us the agility to address every-changing community needs.

Spark the Future

Help us write our next chapter

The Spark Campaign brings together $22M of public and private support to make this new building a reality for the Sumner community.

Final fundraising goal – $3M

Contributions and Grants – $3.825M

  • City of Sumner Investment – $825K
  • WA State Library Capital Improvement Fund – $2M
  • Pierce County Library System – $1M

Bond Funding – Up to $15M

Impact

A flexible building for a growing and changing community

To serve our growing communities, the Library System must expand in creative ways to meet people where they are.

We now have the opportunity to architect a modern library for Sumner to serve as an anchor for library services and a community resource for East Pierce County.

We are leveraging a creative public-private partnership approach to build the Sumner Library. This partnership provides significant philanthropic support and reduces the use of tax funds to design and build the new library.

The new Sumner library will feature:

  • Up to 20,000 square feet, double the size of the existing space.
  • Dedicated space for non-profit partners to meet and serve the community.
  • Indoor spaces for all ages and for multi-generations to learn, enjoy and connect.
  • A large collection of books and materials and more services to support all of East Pierce County.

Together, we will improve lives throughout the region.

A library customer sits on a couch and stares out a window while holding a notepad and pen in her hand.

Read more about the campaign

Download a brochure

Impact

A flexible building for a growing and changing community

To serve our growing communities, the Library System must expand in creative ways to meet people where they are.

We now have the opportunity to architect a modern library for Sumner to serve as an anchor for library services and a community resource for East Pierce County.

We are leveraging a creative public-private partnership approach to build the Sumner Library. This partnership provides significant philanthropic support and reduces the use of tax funds to design and build the new library.

The new Sumner library will feature:

  • Up to 20,000 square feet, double the size of the existing space.
  • Dedicated space for non-profit partners to meet and serve the community.
  • Indoor spaces for all ages and for multi-generations to learn, enjoy and connect.
  • A large collection of books and materials and more services to support all of East Pierce County.

Together, we will improve lives throughout the region.

A man, holding a newspaper, and a boy, holding a library book, sit next to each other and laugh.

When communities change, we change— ensuring access to learning and the services that are most needed and valued.

As a community resource, the new library building will include dedicated space for non-profit partners, providing access to equitable services for residents of East Pierce County.

Pierce County Library System is deeply embedded in the communities we serve, and welcomes EVERYONE, from early learners to adults through:

  • 19 library locations
  • Online services and resources
  • Technology that includes free access to computers, Wi-Fi and classes

Your support will allow us the agility to address every-changing community needs.

A library customer sits on a couch and stares out a window while holding a notepad and pen in her hand.

Read more about the campaign

Download a brochure

Spark the Future

Help us write the next chapter

The Spark Campaign brings $22M of public and private support together to make this new building a reality for the Sumner community.

Final fundraising goal – $3M

Contributions and Grants – $3.825M

  • City of Sumner Investment – $825K
  • WA State Library Capital Improvement Fund – $2M
  • Pierce County Library System – $1M

Bond funding – Up to $15M

For more information, or to make a gift, please contact:

Dean Carrell, Foundation Director
253-548-3456
dcarrell@piercecountylibrary.org

Spark the Future: Campaign Leadership

Your Pierce County Library System has been the community’s choice for the discovery and exchange of information and ideas to spark success for residents for more than 75 years.

Learn about the new Sumner Library
Campaign Steering Committee
Bill Pugh (Chair)
Former Mayor, City of Sumner
Holly Bamford Hunt
Director, The Bamford Foundation
Barb Bitetto
Councilmember, City of Sumner
John Folsom
Community Advisor
Linda Gutmann
Community Volunteer
Georgia Lomax
Georgia Lomax Consulting
Teena Ward-Hyde
Board Member, Pierce County Library Foundation
David Zeeck
Regent, University of Washington
Pierce County Library System
Gretchen Caserotti
Executive Director
Pierce County Library Foundation
Dean Carrell
Foundation Director
Lauren Angelo
Grant Writer & Prospect Research Associate
Alana Nodell
Annual Giving & Donor Engagement Associate
Katie Jay
Development Specialist
Barsness Group
Kristin Barsness
Principal
Natalie Lamberjack
Consultant
Pierce County Library Foundation Logo