At the groundbreaking for the Rotary Library Garden at Valparaiso Public Library, Director of Porter County Library System Jesse Butz pitched the idea of creating a similar space at Portage Public Library to Portage Mayor Sue Lynch. Butz and Lynch have talked since the Rotary Library groundbreaking, and the idea of implementing the Portage Library Garden has gained momentum.
During a conversation with 1st Source Bank West Regional President Matt Vessely, Butz mentioned his desire to construct the Portage Library Garden. As 1st Source Foundation is constantly on the lookout for local projects and organizations in need of financial support, Vessely knew immediately that it would be a fantastic fit for a grant opportunity.
1st Source Foundation was proud to award a grant to Porter County Library System to support the construction of an ADA-compliant reading nook, which will be located within the Portage Library Garden. Vessely shared that 1st Source Foundation is happy to invest in a project that will serve as a resource for people of all ages.
“Accessible, beautiful, educational, and enriching spaces make the communities we serve better for everyone. This project will do just that, and we wanted to do our part to help make the project possible,” Vessely said. “This is actually the first grant the 1st Source Foundation has awarded the Porter County Library System, and we look forward to the continued future partnership it will provide.”
To cover all the expenses of the Portage Library Garden, Porter County Library System looked for other community partners in addition to 1st Source Foundation. Other community partners who have committed to this project include the City of Portage, Redevelopment Commission, Porter County Government, and Porter County Community Foundation.
“We also have individuals and library staff members who are contributing things like a flagpole or a bench because they care about the Portage community and want something that will stand the test of time,” Butz said. “What you’re looking at is a garden that’s a true collaborative effort from the residents to make something special and unique.”
While Butz’s initial motivation for creating the Portage Library Garden was to increase Wi-Fi access for those who need it, the versatile outdoor space has even more to offer.
“You have the ability to do e-learning or school for those who don’t have reliable internet access. Kids can drop by and hang out, play games, read a book, and do whatever. The space is literally in use the entire day,” Butz said. “The space has many options for every age range you can imagine. It’s a really engaging space that’s different from what they might experience at a park. When you have it combined with a library, you can stop in, check out books and materials, and then head outside.”
When the Portage Library Garden is complete, it will feature an open pavilion in the center, a sundial in the front, reading nooks, and homages to what makes the county unique.
“We’re calling back to Porter County throughout the garden because it’s a local feature,” Butz said. “We’re going to see the steel industry represented in this garden. We’re going to see The Dunes represented in the garden. We’re going to see nature and the wooded areas throughout Porter County represented in the garden. We really want to be mindful of that local feel in this garden.”
Butz revealed that there are plans to build gardens for every branch of the Porter County Library System in the future.
To learn more about 1st Source Foundation, visit https://www.1stsource.com/you-1st/community/1st-source-foundation/.
