July 25, 2023
The Tulsa City-County Library announced today a leadership commitment of $5 million from Tulsans Bob and Leslie Pritchard to support the Brookside Library replacement as part of the “My Library, Our Future” capital campaign. This lead gift is an important beginning for the private fundraising effort expected to continue into 2024.
“I know I speak for my fellow volunteers on this campaign when I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Pritchards,” said Campaign Chair Tim Lyons, CEO of TTCU. “Their inspirational generosity is a shining example of how this community steps up to help those in need for generations to come.”
The Tulsa City-County Library began the “My Library, Our Future” private fundraising effort to replace four libraries throughout Tulsa County: one in Owasso, one in Broken Arrow and two in Tulsa, including Rudisill Regional Library and Brookside Library. The libraries were selected for replacement based on customer usage significantly outpacing the buildings’ ability to meet growing demand.
“Libraries today are busier than ever, and the Pritchard’s gift is going to help countless children, teens and adults with literacy, finding a job, accessing higher education and even starting businesses,” said Tulsa City-County Library CEO Kimberly Johnson. “It’s imperative that our library system adapts along with the changing and growing needs of Tulsa County residents, and this campaign will help assure we fulfill our mission.”
The gift by the Pritchards will specifically support the Brookside location, which now will be named the Bronson Brookside Library in honor of Leslie’s father, Donald Bronson Atkins.
“The Tulsa City-County Library has played a fundamental role in my life. Going to the library every two weeks with my parents contributed to my brother and I becoming lifelong avid readers,” said Leslie Pritchard. “Bob and I look forward to the Bronson Brookside Library continuing to be an integral part of the Brookside community. The beautiful and larger library will have so many new features and creative spaces for all ages of readers. We are so excited for its completion!”
The replacement of the Brookside Library will cost $9.6 million. With the Pritchards’ gift, along with other early pledges, there is roughly $2.1 million remaining to reach the goal. The Brookside branch will be the first of the four locations in the “My Library, Our Future” campaign to be constructed, with groundbreaking targeted for early 2024 and opening slated for 2025.
The total campaign goal for all four locations is $58 million. Fundraising for the remaining phases of the project will continue into 2024.
According to Lyons, the volunteer-led campaign cabinet is optimistic about success. “This campaign is both ambitious and incredibly necessary,” Lyons said. “The positive initial response we’ve had from several potential donors is very encouraging as we look toward achieving our goal.”
The current Brookside Library will stay open during the construction of the new site. The new Bronson Brookside Library will be built from the ground up on a site just across the street from the current location at the former Wright Elementary School.
Although architectural designs are not final, the new Bronson Brookside Library will be surrounded by green space and will retain existing features including a walking path, a baseball backstop and soccer goals.
Those interested in supporting the project can learn more and make donations at www.mylibraryourfuture.org.
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