Patron bricks to pave new Indian Trails Library reading garden

Christine Dolgopol, of Wheeling, remembers her mother Charlotte pulling a red wagon and saying "a book and a buck" to the people she passed, long before Indian Trails Public Library District was founded in 1958.

For Christine, it was an easy decision to honor her late mother who passed away 10 months ago through the purchase a brick for the new Reading Garden as part of the Indian Trails Public Library District campaign Support ~ Honor ~ Remember.

"My mother loved to read all the time," Dolgopol said. "She always had a book in her hand. Libraries were her passion - absolutely. How could I not purchase a brick?"

Charlotte served on the Indian Trails Library Board from 1964 - 1972. A Wheeling resident since the age of seven, Christine recalls her mother walking five miles a day to work during the Great Depression to save money. On occasion her mother saved enough money to buy herself macaroni 'N cheese at a local restaurant and gave the rest of her earnings to her sisters and family. Christine said that this was a gift she wanted to do for her mother.

"Purchasing a brick is a show of pride for their community - especially if you are a regular user," she said. "I don't go to the library very often because there just doesn't seem to be time but purchasing a brick will last for years and years. It's a nice way of leaving your family legacy in the village of Wheeling."

The general public as well as businesses can now purchase brick pavers or a specialty item and have a message, notable milestone or name engraved. The new Reading Garden, which will be built Summer 2010 on the northwest grounds of Indian Trails Public Library, will have brick pavers adorning the walkway through the garden. The campaign, which began in September 2009, gives community members an opportunity to permanently honor a loved one with the purchase a brick.

The garden will feature plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, a center piece, a sitting rock and a specialty piece in addition to the brick walkway. Community members can select from three different brick sizes. The 4" x 8" brick is $100 and features three lines and 16 characters on each line. The 8" x 8" brick features six lines and 16 characters on each line and is $200. The 16" x 16" brick features 12 lines and 34 characters on each line and is $750. A gift brick is available for $50 in conjunction with a brick purchase and features three lines and 16 characters for each line.

Donors will receive a thank-you letter, a certificate recognizing the donor or honoree, recognition in the quarterly newsletter, recognition on the Foundation Web site and will have an opportunity to share their story about the honoree or caption engraved on their brick.

For more information on the Foundation, a 501(c)(3), an engraved brick, or to see our virtual garden, please call 847-459-4100 and speak to the Foundation Liaison, e-mail garden@indiantrailslibrary.org or visit www.indiantrailslibraryfoundation.org/garden.