Story: Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries

Grace Doll and her fourth-grade friends didn't want to lose their library, so they took on new roles as activists.   Grace wrote in a letter to Mayor Chris Beutler and the City Council starting her campaign:  I do not think closing the libraries would be a good decision. The libraries are in a great location and are easy to get to. They provide computers for people who may not own one. To support these libraries, I will be organizing a rally on Monday, February 23^rd, with other students from my school.  Grace called her friends - Anna Keene, Meredith Enerson, Ellie Schernikau, Olive Martin, Allison Bergmeyer, Maizy Hurst, Madison Mar, Kate Dvorak, Emma Traudt and Jennie Hammel - and invited them to the rally and asked them to make signs to Save the Library.

Bruce Doll, Grace's father said, I don't think the girls realized what they were about to experience. It was simply amazing. As they stood on the corner of 27^th and South Street chanting "Save South Branch Library" and "Don't Close Our Library," hundreds of people honked their horns and waved as they drove by. The energy was incredible and it inspired the girls even more.  Grace's close friend and fellow demonstrator, Anna Keene, said that standing on that corner with my sign felt like I was doing the right thing to help something I love. When people were honking in support of the library staying open it was if they were supporting us and I was doing the right thing. When the mayor handed me my certificate I felt proud and happy for myself and all the other kids in my neighborhood.

Thanks to Grace and her friends, and the support of many, Mayor Chris Beutler and the Lincoln City Council were able to find the funding in the city budget to keep all Lincoln libraries open.