Library receives generous donation

Carrington City Library is honored to receive a $15,000 donation from the Beck family, whose roots of success are in the Carrington community. Their generous donation reflects their love of reading and the important role Carrington played in their lives.

Ruth and Keith Beck graduated from Carrington High in 1945. That year, Ruth was salutatorian, and Keith was valedictorian. Ruth loved school and learning. She was the first in her family to go to college, after insisting her father could afford it. She graduated from NDSU in 1949 and went into teaching. Ruth taught sixth grade and later home economics at the high school.

Keith went on to become a dentist and served in that role in Carrington until 1966. Keith had a life-long passion for reading, and their basement had thousands of books lined up neatly on several large library shelves that looked like they had gotten from the library.

Their son, Thomas, graduated from CHS in 1971, then went on to attend NDSU to study chemistry and math and then studied to be a lawyer. Tom became a successful patent lawyer in New York.

Carrington City Library will use the donation to purchase additional shelving and to remodel the former computer lab into a Makerspace. In libraries, a Makerspace is a dedicated area that provides the tools and resources that provide patrons with opportunities to explore and create.

The remodeling of this room will transform the library's ability to provide more STEAM activities, according to library director, Michele Seil. Flexible seating and tables will make it possible for small groups and individuals to use the room for crafting and science exploration. The library currently has some robotics, building games and 3D pens and plans to add more robotics and a 3D printer.

"On behalf of the library board and all of our patrons, we are sincerely grateful for this generous donation," said Seil. "The donation makes our remodeling plans possible, and we are truly looking forward to providing more innovative opportunities for all of our patrons."

Libraries are essential to a thriving community, and donations help libraries provide services to all patrons. Carrington City Library is always grateful for donations and memorial contributions. To further their fund-raising efforts, the library hosts a couple of annual events. During December, the library has a Wish Tree with items it would like donated (usually books).

In January, the Friends of the Library group sponsors a money raffle. Proceeds from the raffle supplement the library's book budget, so purchasing raffle tickets is an excellent opportunity for community members to support the library's work with the added bonus of a chance to win.

Questions about donations can be directed to library director Michele Seil by calling 652-3921 or emailing [email protected].