Riverton Il Library Launches Historic Preservation Program

RIVERTON, IL (March 5, 2007) – The Riverton Village Library today announced its plans to launch a fundraising campaign geared specifically to the preservation and expansion of its current collection of local historical documents and memorabilia. The library hopes to raise the needed funds for a three-phased project designed to not only preserve, catalog, and expand the collection, but also to implement community outreach programs to enhance public awareness of the collection as a resource. The Library hopes to raise the necessary funds through a variety of avenues including individual and corporate donations, as well as foundation and local, state and federal grants.

Over the years, residents of Riverton have donated historical ephemeral to the Village Library. Donated items have included photographs, letters, books, maps, brochures, and oral histories. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding the Library has been unable to catalog, preserve, and make these resources available. The campaign will allow the Library to set aside funds specifically for these historical preservation efforts.

Riverton Village Head Librarian Nancy Kocis said, “We are excited at the prospect of expanding the library’s collection of local memorabilia and of preserving a small piece of our rich history. Our ability to preserve these wonderful pieces of our ancestor’s lives will ensure that Riverton’s valuable documentary resources -- family papers and photos, business records, digital materials, etc. -- will be available and accessible to future generations of Illinoisans interested in history and genealogy.”

Anyone interested in donating materials related to Riverton’s history or in making a financial contribution to the campaign should contact Nancy Kocis at 217.629.6353.

Contact Information

Nancy Kocis

Head Librarian

Riverton Village Library

Contact via E-mail