Chicks are hatching at Kutztown Community Library, figuratively speaking, and possibly literally.
Library Director Janet Yost hatched up an idea to help the library raise funds in a fun way. Yost and the Library’s Board of Trustees launched the chicken-themed HATCH (Heat, Air, & Technology Campaign for Help) drive to raise funds to replace the aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
“HVAC systems, they’re just not fun and we wanted a way to raise money that would add an element of fun to it,” said Yost. “We came up with the acronym HATCH and then from there the chickens came and it just became a fun way to donate to the library. We’re excited.”
Yost said the library will host chicken storytimes and she hopes to be able to bring in an incubator to hatch some chicks, as long as she can find a home for the chicks.
Estimated to cost at total of $40,850, the library received a grant from Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to cover $20,000 of the project if the remaining funds are raised. The library asks the community to help raise the remaining $20,000 needed to complete this project.
Library Board President Cathy Ruhf, Kutztown, said the HVAC system is very old and inefficient.
“We were told if we don’t replace it now we will be faced with very costly repairs and … possibly may not be fixed, so we are trying to replace it before that becomes a problem so we don’t have to close the library for days while its getting fixed or have it really cold or hot in here,” said Ruhf. “The new system will improve the air quality in the library. It’ll help us save money because it’ll be much more efficient. We’ll reduce how much energy we use which is a big thing and also get rid of some of the coolant that is no longer acceptable for use in such systems.”
Through the HATCH campaign, people can donate funds toward the project and be added to the golden egg drawing. There will be a chicken nest at the library from which an egg will be pulled out. If a golden egg is pulled, they receive a gift card to a local business.
Businesses in town donated gift cards for the golden egg prizes.
“I think it’s an exciting fundraiser but it’s really a chance for the community to come together to help us,” said Ruhf. “We think of the library as one of the center pieces of the community and so many people come here for socialization and it’s a chance for them to help us get through this time so we can continue giving them the services that they like.”
Kutztown University students Lily Stamm, Brittany Rogers, Andrew Cygan and Meredith Heydt helped the HATCH campaign through the Design-A-Thon held the weekend of April 1 creating all of the promotional materials including chick logos, letterhead, Facebook post and dancing chick gif.
“They did a really amazing job,” said Ruhf.
Between April 10 and April 29, the library will invaded by chickens with story times about chickens. Children and adults can enter a chicken coloring contest. Donations (of $56 or more) brought to the library during this event will be eligible to enter the Golden Egg drawing for gift cards to local business. Community members can also donate online at www.berks.lib.pa.us/sku and by mail at 70 Bieber Alley, Kutztown Pa 19530.