On December 13th a local supporter created a TikTok video wearing our 2022 "Read Banned Books" shirt, and it ended up going viral creating an unprecedented wave of new sales. Within 24 hours we have received nearly $30,000 in donations, and there are more orders still flooding in!

The Meridian Library Foundation is overwhelmed with gratitude from supporters locally, nationwide, and even Canada (hello up there!). It has been a difficult year for libraries, including our own; we truly believe the support of this one little campaign in Meridian, Idaho is a reflection of excellent library staff and services across the country, and a statement of support for our freedom to read.

Because of your incredible generosity, the Foundation is nearly able to FULLY FUND all the Early Literacy & Sensory Installations at Meridian Library's new Orchard Park location. This new library is dedicated to early literacy, and designed with accessibility in mind. Through the thoughtful & intentional design of this public space, thousands of youth and other patrons will be able to access a public library (maybe even for the first time), and feel like it was made for them.

I stepped into the library today at Cherry Lane, and staff members are buzzing. They're feeling supported from all corners of the country, and excited that this Foundation fundraiser will help support our community in new and innovative ways.

The Foundation never fathomed the enormous outpouring of support for this campaign. As a small nonprofit, we may not have the capacity to thank everyone individually, but we have purchased more bookmarks and will try our best to reach as many as we can!

On behalf of the Meridian Library Foundation, and from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

Eryn Turner
Executive Director, Meridian Library Foundation

The Meridian Library District’s future north Meridian location has received a $250,000 boost, thanks to a grant from the Sunderland Foundation.

Construction of the 15,000-square-foot library in the Orchard Park development at Linder Road and Chinden Boulevard began last summer. The Meridian Library District will be a long-term tenant in the building and is set to begin interior tenant improvements later this spring. The new library is expected to open for services in December 2022.

The Orchard Park library will bring literary resources and support to residents in a fast-growing and currently underserved area of Meridian. It is one of four projects supported by a $14 million plant facility levy passed by Meridian voters in 2019.

“This is a unique new library location, designed with an emphasis on accessibility and adaptability,” said Library Director Gretchen Caserotti. “We’re very excited to share this space with our community.”

The nonprofit Meridian Library Foundation is fundraising to supplement levy funds for the project. The $250,000 grant from the Kansas-based Sunderland Foundation will assist with rising construction costs, which have been impacted by skyrocketing prices for building materials. The grant support will also allow the Meridian Library District to save levy funds for the two additional capital projects on the horizon: construction of a new south Meridian library and renovation of the central Cherry Lane library.

“We are so grateful for the Sunderland Foundation’s support of this project and commitment to fostering strong, vibrant communities,” said Meridian Library Foundation Manager Eryn Turner. “This grant will help build the innovative library space our community needs.”

The Foundation has secured an additional $54,000 in private donations and grants to help purchase technology and build out book collections for the new Orchard Park library.