Ferguson library sees flood of donations for staying open

Youths walk past a mural calling for peace in Ferguson, Mo., on a building up the street from the city's police department a day before the grand jury decision was announced. Photo credit: David Goldman/AP

During the past week since the grand jury ruling in the Michael Brown case, the Ferguson Public Library has seen overwhelming support for staying open to serve the community while area schools closed down. 

The small library has just one full-time staff member.

Almost immediately after the above status was posted on the library's Facebook page, social media erupted with praise for the local library and its important decision to stay open when its community needed it most. Tweets were sent from local patrons, international supporters and published authors themselves. The donations came rolling in from there!

That the @fergusonlibrary is open, and bringing in teachers since the schools are closed, is yet more proof that libraries are essential.

— David Lubar (@davidlubar) November 25, 2014

How to support the work of the @fergusonlibrary: http://t.co/0Gglor7gI0 pic.twitter.com/1F4p82d2lm

— Book Riot (@BookRiot) November 26, 2014

Libraries have always been my sanctuary, my escape, my happy place. Support @fergusonlibrary for the people who need all the above esp now

— Stef Hoffman (@StefHoffs) November 26, 2014

We can donate directly to the #Ferguson library through their website. They are open while schools are closed: http://t.co/cHbs36m68s

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 25, 2014

Even the Reading Rainbow account tweeted its support!

#Teachers aren't only in schools. They're all who put kids & communities 1st. Let's help. http://t.co/6yYtWq8Szx @FergusonLibrary @BookRiot

— Reading Rainbow (@readingrainbow) November 25, 2014

So far the library has received more than $200,000 in donations.

'"It means we can do a whole lot more programming that's focused on the community, [and] long overdue updates to the library. We have infrastructure needs that should have been taken care of 10 years ago. But what I really hope I can do is to get a full-time children's or programming librarian,"' Ferguson Public Library Director Scott Bonner said during his interview with NPR.

But the donations have not just been financial. The tiny library has also seen an influx of book donations from authors, including John Green, who announced Saturday that he would be sending signed copies of his hit book, The Fault In Our Stars, to the Missouri library.

I have almost 40 authors on the list of those sending books to #Ferguson kids through the @fergusonlibrary and the list continues to grow!!!

— Joelle Charbonneau (@jcharbonneau) November 26, 2014

But to me, sending money or books to Ferguson isn't really a donation – it's more than that. It's an investment. This money and these books will never be able to change the grand jury's verdict, but they will be able to restore hope and offer healing to a community that desperately needs it.

Books change lives, people! Please join me in showing your support by visiting the Ferguson Public Library website and clicking the donate button. Any amount you can spare will benefit a valiant cause.